Macclesfield's member of parliament has made a public appearance with potential future Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

David Rutley MP appeared with Mr Sunak at The Swettenham Arms near Congleton, six days after Macclesfield Nub News reported that he was backing the Richmond (Yorkshire) MP.

Rishi Sunak poured a pint and had banter with pub locals, with one even saying "You've got the job", to which Mr Sunak jokingly replied "Not yet".

Later, our town's MP spoke to the public and the Local Democracy Reporting Service about his support for the 42-year-old Conservative leadership candidate.

(Image - David Rutley MP)

David Rutley urged local party members to choose him to become the next prime minister.

"He talked very clearly about the economy, that's a huge priority – particularly when we're facing record levels of inflation and when a lot of families are facing cost of living challenges," said Mr Rutley.

"I worked with Rishi when I was in the treasury, I was the treasury whip. I'm also a Department for Work and Pensions minister.

"I want to make sure we can help people with cost of living challenges and while Rishi was chancellor he put forward a very serious set of packages to help people get through these very difficult times, so he's got the experience and the proven track record.

Rishi Sunak (pictured) and Mr Rutley visited The Swettenham Arms in Congleton on Sunday. (Image - Richard Price)

"That's why I'm backing his campaign here locally, but nationally as well."

He said the government was providing support to help people with the cost of living, but that tackling inflation was a priority.

He said: "It's a tough call, but when we've got inflation what we need to do is tackle that and bring it under control."

Sunak was in Congleton, as tonight's Conservative leadership debate takes place in nearby Stoke-on-Trent.

David Rutley could be given a top job under Mr Sunak's government if the ex-Chancellor is victorious over Liz Truss. (Image - Richard Price)

You can read more about Rishi Sunak's visit to a pub just ten miles from Macclesfield, by visiting our sister site Congleton Nub News.

David Rutley has been Macclesfield's MP since 2010.

His first junior minister role was under Theresa May from September 2018 to July 2019.

He was then made Lord Commissioner of the Treasury, and most recently Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Welfare Delivery in September 2021 by Boris Johnson.

Mr Rutley previously tweeted that he believed Rishi would be the best candidate when there were still five in the race. (Image - Richard Townshend / Open Government Licence)

Macclesfield: You can contact him here.

Words by Alexander Greensmith, quotes by Richard Price.

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