EDWARD'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH: GENERAL ELECTION, 6 MAY 2010

I would like to begin by thanking those who have helped make polling day run smoothly and safely, not least of all the Returning Officer, the staff of Cheshire East Council, including those counting late into the night, and, of course, the police.
 
They executed their duties with outstanding professionalism for which we are all grateful.
 
I want to thank my wife, Julia, my parents, John and Alex, and all my family for the love and support they have given me over the last two years. It has not gone unnoticed!
 
I would also like to thank my own election agent, Donald Potter, our formidable group of volunteers and my office for their tireless support, not only for me, but for all the people of Crewe and Nantwich, since I was elected two years ago.
 
Two years on and it couldn't be clearer that, at the by-election, the voters of Crewe and Nantwich had it right and Gordon Brown got it wrong.
 
But one of the things he did do is give me the opportunity to be your MP.
 
As your MP I have spent as much time as possible in the constituency getting to thoroughly understand what makes Crewe and Nantwich tick.
 
Whether its visiting local schools or day care centres, supporting local businesses and charities, or just meeting people on the street or at home, I have made many many friends as well as have had the opportunity to help local residents in the over 3,000 cases that have come through my office in Crewe.
 
It's not surprising I have learned a lot in those two years.
 
Above all else, I have learnt that it is my job to listen to the people of Crewe and Nantwich and then act on their behalf. In a short time, we have worked hard and achieved much together: We have fought to save our Mail Centre and tax office, worked across the community to reinstate fully our First Responders, and have created the political will to start up a National Railway Skills Academy in Crewe.
 
Yet, although we have made a difference locally, nationally it is going to be hard to reverse all the damage already done by the Labour government in Crewe and Nantwich.
 
But under a Conservative led government, we will be able to bring about the environment both here and across the country to allow enterprise to prosper and jobs to grow.
 
That is what Crewe and Nantwich will need most of all as we continue to work together to transform it into the destination for business that we know it could and should be.
 
There is much to do and I look forward to getting back to work.
 
I cannot tell you what an honour it is to be given the responsibility to represent you again and be trusted be your voice in Parliament.
 
I repeat what I said at the by-election: I will continue to be on your side and I won't let you down.
 
It's been a long night and a tough campaign, but now it’s time to get back to work.