On Air Now Dave Sweetmore 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Now Playing Seal Kiss From A Rose

Former MPs to challenge for county council seat

Derbyshire people will be going to the polls in just under three months and, in a little part of the county, two former MPs will be going head-to-head.

In the red corner will be Labour’s Ruth George, who represented High Peak until just over 12 months ago.

While in the blue corner, battling for the Conservatives, is former government minister Edwina Currie.

Both are contesting the Whaley Bridge ward of Blackbrook in the county council elections on May 6.

Edwina was partly convinced to stand following Joe Biden’s victory in the US Presidential Election. But also strongly influencing her decision to contest the seat in Whaley Bridge, where she lives, was the death of her husband John Jones in November.

In an interview with the Chronicle, Ms Currie said: “My husband had been ill for most of last year and his death has left a very big gap in my life.”

Speaking of watching the American election campaign unfold on television, the former Conservative Government minister spoke of being impressed by Joe Biden, saying: “He had come out of retirement to fight and did it with grace and dignity.”

A former Conservative MP for South Derbyshire for 14 years, Ms Currie left politics in 1997 and is now a successful writer and broadcaster.

The seat she is contesting is currently held by ex-High Peak MP Ruth George, who was defeated in the 2019 General Election by Conservative Robert Largan. It is thought to be the first time that two former MPs have fought for the same local authority seat in the High Peak.

Ms Currie spoke of the importance of Whaley Bridge and the rest of the High Peak preparing for life after lockdown and the challenges to be faced.

Championing the environment and the future for electric vehicles, Ms Currie spoke of the need for an adequate number of charging points and more car parking to attract visitors to boost the local economy.

Ruth George said: “I look forward to the coming election on May 6 and to a fair contest against Edwina Currie. I’ve loved being Whaley Bridge and Blackbrook councillor for the last year and helping as many people as I can, especially those who are most in need. 

“And taking on the Conservatives on Derbyshire County Council over their plans to close care homes, including Goyt Valley House, cut funding for voluntary services, and their lack of support for road safety and cycling in High Peak.” 

Main image:

Ruth George (left) and Edwina Currie (right). 

Read more from the Glossop Chronicle

Click here for more of the latest news

Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online

Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper

More from Glossop Chronicle

Weather

  • Thu

    9°C

  • Fri

    12°C

  • Sat

    13°C

  • Sun

    14°C

  • Mon

    11°C