Ahead of the by-election on Thursday April 7, Macclesfield Nub News have requested articles interviewing those standing for the Macclesfield Broken Cross and Upton ward councillor on Macclesfield Town Council, hearing more about their key priorities and what they would hope to get done if elected.

In this article, we met with the Labour Party candidate Ruth Thompson (51). Ruth is a GP from South Manchester who moved to Macclesfield in 2002 just before her first son was born. She has lived in our town ever since. She is also a Trustee of Belgrave Road children's charity Cre8.

Local election candidate Ruth Thompson moved to Macclesfield in 2002, after her brother previously moved here and fell in love with our town.

Macclesfield Nub News: Why did you decide to stand for election as Broken Cross and Upton ward councillor for Macclesfield Town Council?

Ruth Thompson: I suppose lots of reasons. I have seen lots of things over the years working in the NHS, and I've realised that it is important to be involved in decision-making. You can do a lot for people.

I sit one-on-one [for my job] in a consulting room and that is important, but equally the big picture decisions are very important to people's lives, health and wellbeing.

It is a first foray in the political world to explore working within that way - I already sit on a committee at work - with the added more public facing element of it.

Ruth is the Labour Party candidate for the Macclesfield Town Council by-election for the Broken Cross and Upton Ward. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

Macclesfield Nub News: What are the major points of your campaign please?

Ruth Thompson: I am very keen on health and wellbeing. The Town Council funds a lot of initiatives that are supportive of people's wellbeing. They've funded the Hospice recently, the Citizen's Advice Bureau, some get-into-work job opportunities, and a lot of social activities. They fund a lot of things with resonate well with my health and wellbeing agenda.

I am personally very passionate about 20mph speed limit in residential areas. I think the evidence is clear that would help reduce impacts and injuries.

I also think open space - and green space - is really important to us for our wellbeing and recreation. Trees are important for us so it is important to have them built for our everyday life, and then equally important to save green open spaces like Danes Moss which is important to the planet to keep that peat in the ground.

That is obviously not something the Town Council can have a massive influence on, but I will be continuing with that work.

The Macclesfield Broken Cross and Upton Ward is pictured towards the left of the map. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

Macclesfield Nub News: What are the major issues facing the Broken Cross and Upton ward?

Ruth Thompson: When I've been talking to people there is a lot of issues around parking. That has particularly come up around Chester Road and the area around Upton Priory. I know a lot of Fallibroome parents, and there's parking issues particularly when children are being picked up from school.

The '20 is plenty' policy has also resonated with people. I think they want slower cars and to feel safer when walking or cycling around.

While it is a Cheshire East problem, I think there is strength in numbers.

People were very keen to see things on litter and tidiness, and that is where working with the Town Ranger [funded by Macclesfield Town Council] comes in. Like tidying up Lanark Walk and making the play areas they've funded, or cutting nettles on Whirley Road.

Ruth is a supporter of Save Macclesfield Greenbelt and wants to promote the importance of wellness and good mental health. Here she is campaigning with Bollington Town Councillor and fellow Labour member Judy Snowball. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

Macclesfield Nub News: If we could just clarify, where do you stand on '20 is plenty' for non-residential areas such as Churchill Way in the town centre?[.L]

Ruth Thompson: I think we have to have key arterial routes. If you ever go to Germany or Holland, it is much clearer which are your key car-dominant roads, and which are your residential cycling and walking roads. We probably need that to be much clearer.

There are lots of Active Travel cycle routes happening in Tytherington by Cheshire East. But I think there needs to be a clear distinction [in speeds] between the main roads in and out of the town, and the 20mph ones. I'm not going to mention specific roads because I think a consultation would need to happen over that.

I think it is important to have quite simple instructions like this. And you can see it in cities in the UK like Belfast, Brighton, Edinburgh. People get used to it. But it is having that clarity: key arterial are one speed, and all the rest are 20.

Confused with what a Macclesfield Town Councillor does? See the blue column on the left. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

Macclesfield Nub News: How would you propose to support businesses in the ward, and the town's overall economy if elected?

Ruth Thompson: I do frequent local businesses in Broken Cross and Upton. I particularly like the Paint Shop on the Broken Cross roundabout. He's absolutely fantastic there, it reminds me of when I worked in a painting and decorating job when I was young.

I do talk to business owners when I'm there and I think there are issues with parking, when you go to collect paint from him it is a little bit harder to park.

But the parking near Westmorland Co-op is excellent there so it is not an issue from those guys. And [if elected] I would like to speak to the private company who open the businesses there, and see if they thought their rents were appropriate.

I think more creative things over the town will help our economy and make our town a destination. I think Barnaby has shown the way.

Macclesfield Nub News: Finally, what's your favourite thing about Macclesfield please?

There's so many people that get involved, get engaged with the town, are creative, willing to volunteer themselves. We have such an active and vibrant town with people willing to get stuck in and do stuff. The people are a Macclesfield asset.

Our town is small enough to feel local but big enough to have diversity.

Ruth pictured at a 'SAVE DANES MOSS' campaign group meeting earlier in the year. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

Plus, we're close to the hills and we have lots of nature.

Macclesfield Nub News: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Ruth Thompson: Thank you very much for voting for me. I hope I can fit your expectations, but if I don't or you are undecided, contact me and we'll see what I can do.

I would also just like to say a little more about me. In relation to my paid work, I am portfolio GP with many different contracts. My main clinical job is in Manchester with Homeless people and I commission mental health services via Manchester CCG.

I also have a zero hours contract at Macclesfield Hospital A&E as an Emergency GP, employed by East Cheshire NHS Trust. If elected, I will also be continuing on with my Cre8 Trustee role, until my time is up with that.

Ruth's favourite business in the ward is Painters Supply Limited on Chelford Road, just off've the Broken Cross roundabout. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

Holding many roles, I have good time management skills and boundaries between work and personal life. I will put aside one session per week for Town Council role and will be happy to contacted about any issues in that time. Be assured that broken sewage manhole covers and overgrown trees are potentially important public health and safety issues and just as important to me as individual patient care.

Macclesfield: You can learn more about Ruth's campaign here.

We have also interviewed the other candidates for the Conservatives, and the Green Party.

See Also: Why is Macclesfield Broken Cross and Upton ward having a by-election?.

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