Khumi Burton: How we won in Cheshire East and showed people are getting tired of Labour/Independent control

Cllr Khumi Burton represents Wilmslow Lacey Green on Cheshire East Council.

Residents in Wilmslow Lacey Green and Styal sent out a clear message on September 11.

They have had enough of the Labour/Independent led Cheshire East Council and want to see real action in their local community. They chose to vote Conservative.

As a party, we hold the most seats on Cheshire East Council at 33, compared with Labour’s 31 and each victory brings us closer to regaining control of the council, which unfortunately has been under Labour/Independent control since 2019. A by-election was triggered recently after the untimely death of Independent Councillor, Chris Hillard. I was approached to stand and after speaking with Tatton MP, Esther McVey, I decided to put myself forward.

I don’t come from a political background but have always been a Conservative voter and importantly, have always been passionate about my local area.

I’ve lived in the same house in Lacey Green since I arrived in the UK almost 50 years. I came to Wilmslow from Manipur, India after meeting my English husband, who was a Major with the Cheshire Regiment and a Young Conservative in his Cambridge University days! I didn’t know anyone so getting involved with local charity and events was my way of immersing myself in British culture and making friends. I am a do-er, and I always make sure that all the things I get involved with are practical and helpful and it is my way of giving back to the community that has made me so welcome.

I’ve recently retired after 20 years as a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, and also served for 18 years as a Magistrate in Manchester as well as a Board of Visitors at HMP Styal (a Home Office appointment). I’m a member of the Royal British Legion and previously served as a governor at Lacey Green Primary School. Now is the right time to commit to my new role as a Councillor on Cheshire East Council.

Some of the issues I want to get working on include fighting to get bus services reinstated through Lacey Green estate and also a similar service back to Styal. We all know how important good transport links are – and residents deserve better. I also want to start a community fund so residents can get help to improve local areas that matter to them. I also want to see more defibrillators across the ward and for improvements in bin collections, which are so erratic in parts.

I pledged to keep pushing for potholes to be repaired and to hold the council to account over its inaction. Despite the last Conservative Government awarding Cheshire East Council record sums of money to fix the holes blighting our roads, causing a problem for all road users, there seems to be little action from the council.

I have vowed to tackle the issue of unauthorised airport parking in Styal and I will work with the Parish Council to support the work have been doing to push back on that.

On the doorstep throughout the campaign, the issue that came up time and again was planning. People are concerned with the number of developments being proposed and built, not only in our ward but the wider area. They understandably want infrastructure in place to ensure existing residents are not impacted by these developments. It’s something I have already discussed with colleagues.

I certainly have enough to be keeping me busy!

The ward has been neglected for the past few years, and I am determined with the help of the community to improve and change it.

We ran a positive campaign, we were visible and one of the things volunteers kept telling me was those voters who did not know me personally, knew of my yellow front door and Union Jack flag!

Tatton Conservative Association took a chance on me for this local by-election and it has paid off. I hope it will be part of continued success for the Party locally.