PPC for the Liberal Democrats in High Peak

11.47.00am GMT Sun 7th Feb 2010

Alistair Stevens - PPC High Peak

Well-known local cricketer and New Mills Councillor Alistair Stevens has been selected as the new Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for High Peak.

At a packed hustings meeting in New Mills last Friday night, Councillor Stevens won the vote in a run-off with High Peak Borough Councillor David Lomax. He said afterwards: 'I'm absolutely thrilled to have been selected. Over the next three months I intend to give Labour and the Tories a very tough time indeed."

"Make no mistake, with boundary changes in High Peak, massive public anger over the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the sheer ineffectual blandness of the Tories, this seat is winnable by the Liberal Democrats#. I intend to make it happen."

Alistair celebrates with his children Eleanor and Josh

Councillor Stevens, who is a property valuer, has family ties with the High Peak going back generations and has lived here for over twenty years. He is 51 and married with three children, one a former head boy of New Mills School. Both his sons are now studying at university and his daughter is studying for GCSEs.

Councillor Stevens, a former professional and semi-professional with Lancashire County Cricket Club, is best known for his work with junior cricket throughout High Peak. He has been a tireless coach and fundraiser for junior cricket for 17 years, producing scores of promising young players. He and his family are also involved in a wealth of community events in New Mills.

At a meeting of party workers after his selection, Councillor Stevens outlined his 5-point action plan for High Peak:

More affordable and social housing

More investment in jobs - particularly for young people

More money for rural bus and train services

Immediate help for High Peak hill farmers and a legal crackdown on supermarkets to ensure better farm gate prices

Lower business rates for small businesses

In a hard-hitting speech to party volunteers, he pointed out that High Peak was surrounded by Liberal Democrat seats and was natural Liberal Democrat territory.

"These are the priorities if I'm elected. There's a growing feeling that it really is time for a sea change in the political order in the High Peak - and the country. We have a first rate team at Westminster headed by Nick Clegg and Vince Cable and voters are crying out for a fairer Britain. Let's make it happen.'