Election: Campaign kicks off as candidates announced.

Election fever took hold this week after the candidates hoping to represent the town were announced.

And it’s going to be a busy election period, with voters being asked to cast several votes on one day.

Residents are being asked to pick a new Member of Parliament for Macclesfield, borough councillors for Cheshire East council, a new Macclesfield Town Council and countless councillors for outlying parishes.

The five Parliamentary candidates going for the Macclesfield seat in the General Election are: Conservative David Rutley; Tim Roca from Labour; Neil Christian from the Liberal Democrats; Adrian Howard from UKIP; and the Green Party’s Joan Plimmer.

Mr Rutley will be aiming to retain the seat he took at the 2010 election, in the constituency which has had a Tory MP since 1918. He said: “We are seeing a very positive response to the Conservative campaign out on the doorsteps across Macclesfield. The strong view from residents is that the economy is on the right track and people don’t want to change course.

“I’m campaigning hard and not taking anything for granted.”

But Mr Rutley’s opponents want to persuade voters that Macclesfield is ready for change.

Joan Plimmer, from the Green Party, said: “I’ve been getting some really positive feedback and lots of people want to see change. I’m looking forward to being able to speak to the voters at the hustings events.”

Neil Christian, from the Liberal Democrats, said: “This will be an exciting election, with neither of the old left and right parties appearing to inspire the confidence of the nation and secure a majority.

“I am confident that voters in the Macclesfield constituency will look at the Lib Dem record in coalition and see that we fixed the government in the centre ground and that in any future coalition it is only the Lib Dems that can provide both a strong economy and a fairer society.”

Adrian Howard, the UKIP candidate, said: “UKIP represents an opportunity for change, a break from career politicians and honestly telling it straight.

“If elected I will be on Mill Street every other Saturday morning because I want to be accessible so that you, the voters, can tell me what’s on your mind.”

Tim Roca, the Labour candidate, said: “Labour’s plan is based on a simple truth: that Britain only succeeds when working people succeed – in Macclesfield and across our country.

“That’s why Labour offers a better future, for living standards, for the next generation, and for the NHS.”

In the Cheshire East Council elections, 78 candidates are standing for 23 seats in 15 wards across the old Macclesfield borough. Thirty-three candidates have put themselves forward in the hope of being part of the first Macclesfield Town Council.

Town councils with seats up for grabs include Bollington and Poynton, with the parishes of Disley and Kettleshulme also looking to appoint new representatives.

Other parish councils have not been contested, which means there were not enough candidates to prompt an election and those nominated automatically take the seats.

Voters will hit polling stations on Thursday, May 7, from 7am to 10pm.

The deadline to register to vote is Monday, April 20, online at gov.uk/register-to-vote.

The Macclesfield count will take place at Macclesfield Leisure Centre, from 2am with results expected about 7am.

The Cheshire East count begins at 3pm on Friday, May 8, and should be declared about 7pm.

Go to cheshireeast.gov.uk for polling stations.