HC Deb 20 May 1998 vol 312 cc950-1
Q3. Mr. Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield)

When he next intends to visit the Macclesfield constituency.

The Prime Minister

I have no immediate plans to do so.

Mr. Winterton

Is the Prime Minister aware that I am genuine when I ask him to come to the borough of Macclesfield, which has been Conservative controlled for decades; where, at the last local elections, we gained two seats from Labour and two from his friends, the Liberal Democrats; where the borough council and chamber of commerce recently organised a highly successful business exhibition to promote local industry and commerce; where Macclesfield Town football club, affectionately known as the blues or the silkmen, gained promotion to the second division, having come up from non-league football only the previous year; and where we are opening our own community radio station, Silk FM, on Monday? Will he come to Macclesfield to see Conservative success at work, rather than merely talking about success? I am genuine when I say that I want Macclesfield's success to be spread throughout the country. My right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition has accepted an invitation to come at the beginning of July.

The Prime Minister

Despite having no plans to visit Macclesfield, I now know an awful lot about it. I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on his result in the council elections. However, he will know that there was an 8.5 per cent. swing to Labour at the general election, but the truth is that neither of us did quite as well as his football team.

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