In the run up to the local elections on May 2nd I will be publishing brief interviews with each of the candidates - standing for seats on both the Parish Council and Cheshire East Council - that respond to my request, in the order in which they respond.
To read interviews with other candidates you will be able to click on the tags at the bottom of the article. For example, pieces on the other candidates for the Handforth Parish Council election will all be tagged 'Handforth Parish Council 2019 Election'. Candidates representing the same party or group will also be connected via the tags, candidates competing in the same ward will be connected by tags as well and all articles will be tagged '2019 Local Elections'.
Chris Fortune is a Liberal Democrat candidate for the Handforth West Ward on Handforth Parish Council and the Handforth Ward on Cheshire East Council.
Chris has lived in Handforth since 2007 with his wife and teenage son. He works in Finance, specialising in supporting businesses to grow and succeed. In his spare time he enjoys the outdoors and is a keen rugby player, golfer, and walker as well as enjoying cooking for friends and family.
Are you a member of any local groups or societies?
I'm very active in my local community and often called upon for help and advise by friends and neighbours
Why have you decided to stand for election as a parish councillor and ward councillor for Handforth?
I regularly speak to friends and neighbours in Handforth and we all feel that we deserve much better representation. I know with my experience and skills that I can improve Handforth and ensure that the views of the people who live there are heard and valued. I love living in Handforth and its residents are wonderful people, but the issues facing old and young, families and business need a stronger advocate. I have the experience having worked with youth services, the police, in finance and with communities to be that strong voice.
Have you stood for election before? If so when and for which party?
I've never felt the need to stand previously but friends and neighbours tell me how they feel disenfranchised and forgotten. They rely on me and see me as someone who can represent them so I graciously accepted their request to stand this time around
What do you consider to be the important issues facing Handforth?
I've spent years working to improve communities and tackle crime and I know that to do this you need to listen to people. Young people in Handforth tell me that they are ignored and not represented. Likewise older people tell me that they feel isolated due to erosion of local bus services. People are horrified by the reduction in uniform foot patrols by Police/PCSO in Handforth, they have a right to feel safe.
Housing is a difficult issue and although we all know that affordable new homes need to be provided we also need to ensure that our house values and green spaces are protected.
What do you hope to achieve and how in the next 4 years?
I have been a positive servant of my community for many years and I want to expand my reach to every resident in Handforth. I have a lifelong passion to make a positive impact on the lives of local people and I have a wealth of experience being a strong advocate for people who's voices need to be heard.
I will work with others to create opportunities for the young and old to work together to share their energy and experience to build a stronger community. I will work with local businesses to increase opportunity and I will demand a review of local transport to ensure that people have the best opportunities to work and socialise.
Whoever the residents of Handforth vote for I hope as many of the residents of Handforth do get out and vote on May 2nd and obviously vote for me. I hope that they will see a person who will fight harder for all in Handforth. I want to make sure that every penny available is spent in and for the residents of Handforth, that our quality of life is better in 4 years than it is today.
What experience and personal qualities will you bring to the role?
I hope I can transfer my life experience and enthusiasm to helping all the residents of Handforth in the next 4 years. I am an outgoing, confident person with a deep rooted sense of community and equality for all regardless of background. I have run and owned business's been a front line police officer, care leader and worked in some of the most challenging of environments and under the highest pressure and its this experience that I want to bring to the role of Lib Dem Councillor for Handforth
Why should Handforth residents vote for you?
I was humbled by friends and neighbours that gave me such positive feedback when I said I wanted to stand as the Lib Dem candidate for Handforth. All I can do is promise to work tirelessly for all Handforth residents every day to try and make a positive change for all. My message is we need to strive to make Handforth a better place for all and from May 2nd with the voters consent I can help to make this happen.
