EXCLUSIVE: MP outlines three main priorities for Nantwich
By Ryan Parker
3rd Sep 2024 | Local News
Crewe and Nantwich Labour MP, Connor Naismith, sat down with Nantwich Nub News to discuss his first 50 days in the job, outlining three main priorities for the town.
On July 5, Mr Naismith took the reins from Kieran Mullan to become the first Labour MP in Crewe and Nantwich since 2019.
The former Crewe West councillor secured 20,837 votes, receiving a majority of 9,727 ahead of the Conservative's Ben Fletcher.
Mr Naismith told Nub News: "My first 50 days as an MP for Crewe and Nantwich have been really exciting.
"I don't think any of us expected the general election to happen when it did, but personally, I was really pleased it came when it did because we were all ready for change.
"So far, I have been getting to know parliament, getting to know my way around and learning how it all works.
"That is really important because I need to know how I can get the things Crewe and Nantwich needs delivered through parliament.
"There has been a lot of induction activity and getting to know how to set my constituency office up.
"I am currently recruiting for staff to get my office team in place so I will effectively have an efficient machine to serve Crewe and Nantwich.
"The new office will be in Crewe town centre and it will be in a location familiar to residents. I hope to have this sorted within the next few weeks."
Mr Naismith currently lives in Crewe and has lived in the town since 2018.
The MP said: "Typically, I am in Westminster Monday to Thursday. I am down there voting on key bits of legislation and participating in debates.
"I am still able to do constituency work when I am there as I have a Westminster office.
"On Thursday evenings, I am back home in the constituency, attending events and meeting different stakeholders in Crewe and Nantwich across the weekend.
"Being an MP really is a seven day a week job. That it how it should be, but it obviously presents a challenge with balancing that work."
Mr Naismith outlined to Nub News three key Nantwich issues he would like to work on between now and 2029.
The former Cheshire East councillor said: "I want to make sure Nantwich's overall character and town centre is preserved.
"Nantwich has a relatively thriving high street, the town has something that is really special.
"We have seen the odd example of small businesses closing. We don't want to see the issues Crewe town centre has had creeping into Nantwich.
"That would create a real problem and I will work hard to keep Nantwich thriving.
Mr Naismith believes night-time anti-social behaviour is a big problem for Nantwich, with talks underway between himself and Cheshire Police.
He told Nub News: "I really want to tackle the issue of anti-social behaviour in Nantwich. It is a totally different town at night compared to daytime.
"It has a big night-time economy which is fantastic for the town and brings a lot of money in, but we have got to make sure we deal with some of the side effects of that.
"Many people are having too much to drink, causing trouble and fighting. This is having a negative affect on local residents, especially those living right in the centre.
"I have already spoken to police and crime commissioner, Daniel Price, and am having engagement with Cheshire Police about what we can do to increase police presence in Nantwich during those peak evening hours.
"That visibility of policing is really important. Labour has committed to putting 13,000 more officers on the streets.
"This will help with such issues down the line, but we have got to put the officers where they are needed at the times they are needed locally, right now.
Another issue the Nantwich MP is keen to work relates to a lack of parking spaces in the town.
Mr Naismith said: "I want to make sure there is better availability of parking in Nantwich. From my time as a councillor, I know this town struggles from a lack of spaces.
"Especially when there are big events on such as The Nantwich Food Festival, there just aren't the spaces to match the demand.
"It is really important the availability of land for parking meets the demand for what is needed in the town.
"I am going to be knocking on doors, engaging with residents and replying to emails on what people in Nantwich want to see me prioritising.
"I would like to welcome Nantwich residents to get in touch with any issues they believe I should be tackling."
Nantwich Nub News will be meeting with Mr Naismith on a bi-monthly basis for regular updates on the constituency.
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