Labour name candidate for Burtonwood and Winwick by-election

PERSONAL trainer Alex Abbey has been named as Labour’s candidate to fight the vacant Burtonwood and Winwick seat on Warrington Borough Council following the death of former council leader Terry O’Neill.
Mr Abbey, married with three children, runs a gym in Burtonwood and is associated with Burtonwood Bulldogs Amateur Rugby League Club.
The by-election will take place on Thursday, February 6.
Mr Abbey said: “I am delighted to be standing as the Labour Party candidate at the forthcoming by-election. I am passionate about our villages – I live here, my children all attended school here, and my business is here. I want to see our area thrive. If I’m elected on 6th February, I’ll be committed to ensuring that the Council delivers the best possible service for people throughout Burtonwood and Winwick.
“This by-election takes place in very sad circumstances and, as we campaign, we will be thinking about the contribution that our colleague Terry O’Neill made to the community and the town.
“During the election, I’ll be making my case to as many people as possible face to face. I want to speak out on issues like the threat to our Green Belt, how we improve services for young people, deliver better bus services and public transport, and how we combat the threat to Peel Hall –  an issue which I know many people in Winwick see as a priority.
“I can’t wait to get started. I’m enthusiastic about our villages, and I will be working every day over the coming weeks to show my commitment to the area I love.”
Warrington North Labour Party secretary Chris Vobe said: “Alex is Burtonwood and Winwick through and through. From his involvement with Burtonwood Bulldogs, to his work which helped to save the local community centre, and his commitment to saving Peel Hall from development, people here know that he is a tenacious campaigner who, alongside our brilliant colleague Cathy Mitchell, will serve the villages well.
“We were all saddened by the death of our colleague Terry O’Neill – in Alex, we have someone who will carry on that good work alongside Cathy. He is a mainstream Labour candidate, with exactly the values and outlook that local people share.”
Cllr Vobe will act as Labour campaign manager for the by-election.