A man who wants to be Macclesfield's next MP wants more politicians to be discussing the impact of lockdown on society.

Dickie Fletcher, who is the Social Democratic Party candidate in Macclesfield, was speaking at the hustings at St. Michael's Church in Macclesfield on Monday.

"The NHS is obviously of huge importance to Macclesfield and the nation", he said.

"I think that everybody wants more money put into the NHS. But actually, there has already been a huge amount of funding allocated already.

Dickie Fletcher (second from left) was answering a question from a local healthcare worker. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"And the reason that the NHS is struggling, is because of the thing that we are not allowed to talk about, which was the lockdown.

"That basically ruined the NHS. It has destroyed the NHS. If you look at all the graphs, the waiting times, the surgeries, they all go massively up due to the fact it was COVID.

"It is frightening that we haven't discussed it at all in this election.

"There has been an omertà across all the parties, and most of the media, that it hasn't been discussed.

COVID-19 mask signs at a polling station.

"I really think at some point we need to discuss that.

"Because it was probably one of the most disastrous policies since the Second World War.

"It caused a mental health crisis, especially in young people, it has destroyed the NHS, it has added over £50 billion to our debt, and the outcomes were no different at all. To countries like Sweden.

"We really need to have a conversation for that at some point. And it is pretty disgusting that that [repeated word] hasn't been addressed. Basically the whole of the parliament of the last five years [INAUDIBLE]."

An NHS solidarity sign painted during the pandemic, on Victoria Road, Macclesfield.

Mr Fletcher was cut off by the hustings imposed time limit, before he could finish his point.

Dickie was responding to a question from Karyn Johnston, Chief Executive of Macclesfield's East Cheshire Hospice.

Macclesfield will go to the polls on Thursday, July 4 from 7am to 10pm.

The candidates are: Stephen Broadhurst (Reform UK), Dickie Fletcher (Social Democratic Party), Neil Christian (Liberal Democrats), Amanda Iremonger (Green Party), Tim Roca (Labour Party), David Rutley (Conservatives), Christopher Wellavize (Independent). 

To find more general election news in Macclesfield, please click HERE.