A Stockport councillor who was reelected to his ‘ultra-marginal’ seat in May has promised voters it will be ‘business as usual’ after announcing his bid to become an MP. Councillor David Meller comfortably held on in Cheadle Hulme North two months ago after becoming the ward’s first Labour councillor in nearly 50 years back in 2018.
But now the former regeneration boss - who oversaw a number of ambitious and sometimes controversial projects - has declared his aspiration to stand as Labour’s candidate in High Peak at the next general election. The 36-year-old, who works in education, believes he is the ‘new, fresh and energetic candidate’ the party needs to win the seat back from the Conservatives - citing his record in Cheadle Hulme North among his credentials.
Despite his parliamentary aspirations, however, Coun Meller has vowed he will not be distracted from his ward obligations and responsibilities to Stockport more broadly. In an open letter to voters, he acknowledges the move may not come as a surprise, given he has ‘spent quite a bit of time’ in High Peak recently.
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But he continues: “However, what I want to be very clear on is that I will not let this get in the way or distract me from being your ward councillor and a representative for Stockport. Indeed, many of you placed your trust in me once again only a few weeks ago. I’m not going to throw that trust away - not a chance.
“Regardless of this selection campaign, I will continue to be responsive, proactive and continue my approach of getting things done for the ward and the wider borough.”
Coun Meller, who originally hails from Edgeley, says he could not pass up on an opportunity he may never have again.
“While this risks painting me as a career politician, I hope you see that this comes from a place of wanting to get things done that could ultimately improve the lives of so many people under a Labour government,” he adds."This includes everyone in Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme and Stockport.
“Of course, I may not be selected. If that’s the case, I’ll continue as your ward councillor and very likely be one of your candidates next May as we see all of Stockport council’s seats up for election under the proposed new ward boundaries.”
“I just thought it was right I was open with you all. That’s all I’ve ever been - in my view, anyway - during my time as one of your councillors.”
In his pitch to be selected as Labour’s candidate Coun Meller stresses his record of successfully fighting a marginal seat as well as overseeing Stockport’s £1bn regeneration programme during his time as a cabinet member.
He adds: “I’m delighted - and I will admit a little bit nervous - to launch my campaign to be selected as Labour’s parliamentary candidate in High Peak at the next general election. "I’ve spent a lot of time in High Peak over the last few months, getting to know a number of Labour members and councillors and savouring this beautiful part of Derbyshire with my partner, Emma, and my 10-month old son, Henry Nye.
“If selected, my family and I will move into High Peak from our home in Stockport as quickly as possible.”
It is understood Labour intends to select its candidate for the High Peak constituency around September, although no date is yet confirmed.
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