Former MP Ruth George rules out “mudslinging battle” with Edwina Currie for Whaley Bridge seat

Ruth, reacting to news that Edwina was returning to politics, said “that’s never been something I engage with and I just hope people judge me in terms of my track record”.

Last week Buxton Advertiser reported how former Conservative South Derbyshire MP Edwina had been nominated to stand for Whaley Bridge in the May county elections.

Mrs Currie, who was a junior Health Minister and an MP until 1997, told how she was roused back into politics while watching Joe Biden take on Donald Trump in December.

Describing Mr Biden as a “true hero” she said: “Watching him defeat Trump and do it enormously I thought I should be doing something more than just watching TV.”

Edwina - a Birmingham councillor for 11 years, says - “I want High Peak people to have the best life they can”.

Speaking about her chances of holding onto the Whaley Bridge seat, Ruth said the way she and Mrs Currie “go about our politics” was very different.

Ruth, who, as well as being a councillor works part-time for charity Child Poverty Action Group, described how she liked to “get my hands dirty and stand-up for the voiceless”.

She said: “There’s a lot of difference between me and Edwina - I’ve always been about supporting people in need who feel they don’t have a voice.

“I don’t mind getting stuck in and helping people on the ground - whether that’s by clearing paths for walkers, dealing with road closures or fighting housing developments on green land.”

Whaley Bridge resident Edwina says her short-term goal, if elected, is helping businesses get back up and running post-Covid while and longer term - fighting for better adult healthcare and public transport.

Former MP Ruth described how while running campaigns, such as selling school uniforms for £1, she had unearthed “hidden levels of poverty”.

She said: “I believe in working for the community and you can do a lot as a councillor - which is why I really love being a councillor.

“As an MP you can push for changes on issues such as Universal Credit at a national level which affect millions of people - there are over 4,000 people on Universal Credit in High Peak.”

One of Ruth’s big campaigns currently is to see a High Peak cycleway created linking Buxton with Manchester.

She said: “As an MP you just don’t get enough time to work in detail on projects like that so it’s good to be able to get stuck into it.”

On the subject of the Derbyshire County Council elections in May Ruth said: “The county council has swung between Labour and the Conservatives during the last four elections.

“And there are times I will speak out against Labour decisions just as I do about the Conservatives now.”

Ruth paid tribute to the late Alison Fox - the Conservative Whaley Bridge councillor who preceded her - as “an excellent councillor”.

Former High Peak MP Ruth George pushes county council over Buxton to Manchester cycle route

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.