PENKETH councillor Fiona Bruce looks set to be swapping Warrington for Westminster after being selected to contest the “safe” Tory seat of Congelton at the next General Election.
The local solicitor will replace Lady Ann Winterton MP, who said she wouldn’t re-run for election in the Cheshire safe Tory seat after the row over MPs expenses.
Speculation is now growing over how long Ms Bruce will continue in her current public roles in Warrington, with a national general election looming large next year.
Ms Bruce (pictured right) has been the Conservative councillor for Penketh and Cuerdley since being elected in June 2004 and is also in charge of Finance in her role on Warrington Council’s Executive Board. It is unclear exactly when she will step down from both of these roles to concentrate on her national election campaign.
A Warrington Council spokesperson confirmed that Ms Bruce will remain in her role as executive member for Finance until she has ensured a smooth handover to her successor but no date or potential successor has been confirmed.
She hopes to remain as Councillor until a national election is announced – which has to be sometime before May 2010.
Councillor Bruce said: “I am honoured to have been selected as the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Congleton, just as I have been honoured to serve the people of Penketh as their councillor for almost six years.
“During that time we have, together, achieved a strengthening of neighbourhood working, increased support for the excellent community groups in the west Warrington area and, as confirmed by PCSO Darren Samuels recently, achieved a notable reduction in anti-social behaviour. These were all issues highlighted to me as being of considerable concern to residents when I was first elected.
“I want to thank the residents of Penketh for their tremendous support and look forward to continuing to serve them until the end of my current term next May.”
Coun Bruce attempted to become an MP in the last General Election when she failed in her bid to win Warrington South from Helen Southworth.
Fiona Bruce selected for safe Tory seat
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
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Congleton is no longer a Tory safe seat. Mrs Bruce will have a big job on her hand to win it given the huge level of dissatisfaction towards the Tories over their parking charges scheme. Cheshire East Council have ignored petitions from the five towns affected totalling 12,000 signatures and totally alienated the electorate. It only needs 4,300 of these 12,000 to switch from voting Tory to one of the main opposition parties and she will not will. Residents will tell you this is highly likely given the depth of feelings on this matter.