Mark Hunter MP welcomes former PM to Cheadle

Residents of Cheadle and Gatley were surprised to find a former Prime Minister of Belgium on their doorstep last Friday!

Guy Verhofstadt, now the leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party, was making a flying visit to the North West as a guest of his MEP colleague Chris Davies. Together they completed a number of events including a lecture at Manchester University, a dinner for local campaigners, and canvassing for the European Election with Mark Hunter, MP for Cheadle constituency.

Commenting afterwards, Mark said:

'I am very grateful to Guy for scheduling in a trip to Cheadle constituency during his visit to the UK, and for coming out on the door-step with me to make the case for the European Union and to see, first hand, how we do election campaigning in the UK.

'Three million jobs in the UK rely on EU trade; in our area alone four of the biggest employers (some 2000 local workers) are European based multi nationals. While UKIP and others campaign for the UK to exit the EU, the Lib Dems want to protect these jobs - we are either 'In Europe, in work or out of Europe, out of work.'

'I will be campaigning for Chris to be re-elected as our MEP at the election that will be held on Thursday 22^nd May. Chris' dedication to representing the North-West makes him a hugely effective MEP and I am sure this will be recognised at the election. The Liberal Democrats remain firmly, and the only, party of 'In.'

Chris Davies MEP said:

'Guy hugely enjoyed his trip to Cheadle and the warm welcome he received from residents on the doorstep.

'People are responding well to the Liberal Democrat message that there is a clear choice in this election. If you don't want to gamble with 3 million UK jobs then the Liberal Democrats are the party to vote for on May 22^nd.'