Author: stockportlibdems

With the announcement earlier today of the sudden passing of Andrew Stunell (The Rt Hon Lord Andrew Stunell OBE), the Liberal Democrats have lost a dear friend and valued colleague. Our thoughts are with Gillian and his wider family at this most difficult time.

Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of the Stockport Liberal Democrat Group said;

“Andrew was the rare kind of person that gives politics a good name. His commitment and dedication to public service and the Liberal Democrat cause was the stuff of legend. He was famous for his clear-sightedness and humility whatever the pressure – a real ‘people person’ even before the term was invented. A great friend, colleague, and mentor to many of us – his contribution to the cause over so many years was immeasurable.

Andrew was a kind, thoughtful and courteous man, well regarded by all colours of the political spectrum and widely recognised for his knowledge of (and experience in) local government which he utilised to great effect during his time in Parliament. On a personal level, his advice was always worth listening to and – more often than not – usually spot on. He had a wry sense of humour and well understood the occasional absurdities of politics, never taking himself too seriously.

Andrew served for 18 years as MP for Hazel Grove and before then was a Stockport councillor for 6 years representing Offerton. After retiring from the House of Commons in 2015, Andrew was elevated to the House of Lords and remained active on both the national and local political scene.

His political journey started when he joined the Liberals in protest at the Kenyan Asians Act introduced by the Labour government in 1968 to take away the UK passports of Kenyan Asians. In the 1970’s he stood and won a county council seat in Chester where he also stood for Parliament three times before moving to Stockport in the early 1980’s. He narrowly missed being elected in Hazel Grove in 1992 but was eventually successful in 1997 with a majority of nearly 12,000.

A man of strong faith and principle above all else, Andrew touched the lives of so many of his constituents in such a positive way. His name will long be remembered.”

Cllr Lisa Smart, Parliamentary Candidate for Hazel Grove said;

“Andrew was one of the warmest, kindest people I have ever met. He was the kind of person you want on your team. Hard working, honest and kind. He helped me work out what it was to make a difference in public life.

One of the first times Andrew gave me some advice he said “always stay behind and put away the chairs”. He meant, always be a worker, especially when people aren’t watching because actions are what counts and that was what Andrew was about.

He was one of those people who you could count on or trust with anything at all. Few of those people exist in anyone’s life and I feel extraordinarily privileged to have known him as a friend.

He had a rare gift for cutting through the pomposity in politics with his self-deprecating and often mischievous wit and humour. He leaves a huge hole in our community, but an incredible legacy that his family, whom he loved more than anything, can be extremely proud of.”

Stockport Liberal Democrats have launched their manifesto for the local council elections on May 2nd with the promise ‘the best is yet to come’. After just two years since assuming responsibility for leading the council once again, Liberal Democrat leader – Cllr Mark Hunter – says he is ‘optimistic’ of further success in May and points to a solid track record of achievement since wrestling power from Labour in 2022.

“While much remains to be done and there is absolutely no room for complacency, it is a fact that Stockport is well and truly back on the map for all the right reasons. And it’s not just us saying it, with so many experts seeming to agree that good things are happening in Stockport right now.

“Providing positive leadership of the council, working hard with all our partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors, is a key part of that success but we are ambitious to achieve even more. The choice in May is clear, a positive and ambitious agenda for all parts of Stockport, which puts residents first and will continue to deliver a safer, stronger, cleaner and greener community or a return to a divided and fractious Labour led council.”

A readable version of the manifesto can be found here: https://issuu.com/stockportld/docs/stockport_local_elections_manifesto_final

In February, the Liberal Democrat Cabinet published its new Council Plan, “Ambitious Stockport, creating opportunities for everyone”, describing the role of the council in supporting the borough through the provision and delivery of services that are essential to everyday life.

Rather than just looking ahead one year, for the very first time this looks ahead three years and incorporates our four “Big Ambitions”:

• Investment, regeneration and creating jobs;
• Education, work and skills;
• Wellbeing in neighbourhoods; and
• Delivering for those who most need it.

Alongside these are two cross cutting themes, creating a fair and inclusive Stockport and delivering Climate Action Now.