Local business owner and Walshaw resident Emma Lee has officially launched her campaign as the Conservative Party candidate for the upcoming Tottington by-election, set to take place on Thursday, 2nd April.
Emma, who has lived in the borough for 26 years, is a well-known figure in the local community. As a mother whose children have attended Christ Church Walshaw Primary School, and a proud new grandmother, Emma’s roots in the area run deep. She is also the face behind a popular "paint your own pottery" business in the heart of Bury, which has given her a unique insight into the challenges and aspirations of local small businesses.
Protecting Our Greenbelt
Central to Emma’s campaign is a firm commitment to preserving the character of the local area. Emma is standing on a platform of strict opposition to building on the Greenbelt and is pledged to fighting unsustainable development that threatens the natural beauty and heritage of Tottington and Walshaw.
"I love our community, and I am determined to protect the green spaces that make it so special," says Emma Lee. "Living in Walshaw, I see firsthand how vital these areas are for our families and our future. I am proud to stand strong to ensure our voice is heard at the Council."
A Focus on Community and Accessibility
Emma’s mission is to bridge the gap between residents and local government. Her campaign focuses on:
• Accessible Politics: Ensuring every resident feels informed and empowered to get involved.
• Supporting Local Business: Leveraging her experience as a small business owner to advocate for the local economy.
• Championing SEND Families: She is deeply passionate about ensuring SEND families are listened to and receive the support, understanding, and fair access to education and services they deserve.
• Direct Representation: Being a visible, reachable, and proactive voice for the people of Tottington.
"I’m looking forward to working alongside Cllr Iain Gartside and existing candidate Andrew Luxton and meeting more of the incredible residents and businesses across Tottington," Emma continued. "Whether it’s a local issue, a new idea, or simply a concern you want to share, I am here to listen and act. Together, let’s work towards a stronger, more connected Tottington."
Liam James Dean, Chairman of Bury North and South Conservative Federation said:
"Emma Lee is a fantastic choice for residents across Tottington, Walshaw and Affetside.
As a local business owner and resident, Emma knows exactly what residents are up against with this Labour Council - and she has the skills and expertise to challenge Labour and the Independents so residents get a fair deal.
With Emma, the candidate in this by election, and Andrew Luxton our candidate in May, they are just the people needed to champion our area, along with Conservative Cllr Iain Gartside to bring the change to our town we need"
Councillor Shahbaz Arif, Leader of the Conservative Group at Bury Council, said:
“At this time, the Conservative Party is the only party in Bury Council offering a strong and effective opposition with a clear vision for the future of our borough.
While others lack direction, we have consistently put forward responsible budget amendments, proposed lower Council Tax, and secured an additional £320,000 in funding for vital local priorities such as repairing potholes, improving roads, and strengthening street cleaning services.
We were clear from the beginning that we did not support holding a by-election so close to the scheduled local elections, as it places additional cost on taxpayers. However, now that it has been called, we are fully engaged in the campaign and committed to offering residents a strong Conservative choice.
We are the only party consistently standing up to protect our Green Belt and defend residents from inappropriate development. Our approach is based on practical solutions, responsible spending, and protecting the character of our communities.
Residents in Tottington deserve strong representation with a clear plan, and that is exactly what the Conservative Group is offering.
We are proud to be standing Emma Lee as our candidate. Emma lives in Tottington, understands the real issues facing local residents, and is deeply committed to serving her community.
We are also fortunate to have strong Conservative representation locally, including Iain Gartside, who already serves as a dedicated Councillor for Tottington, and Andrew Luxton, who is a strong Conservative candidate for the 7th May local elections.
Emma Lee is the best candidate for this important by-election. I encourage residents to support the Conservative Party and Emma so we can continue delivering strong, responsible leadership for Tottington and the wider borough.”
Follow Emma on social media to find out more https://www.facebook.com/share/14Zp8mc7uAb/?mibextid=wwXIfr
