A Labour Party candidate started the countdown to an election by speaking to Sir Keir Starmer as he bids to take Altrincham and Sale West in 2024.

The Labour Party leader was in the area for his first so-called Mission Tour which aims to show how his five missions are to the benefit of the country.

These five missions, including issues like the NHS and policing, were the subject of a roundtable attended by business leaders and community leaders.

Also in attendance was Ben Hartley, a councillor on Trafford Council who is set to challenge for Altrincham and Sale West, a seat held from its creation up until now by the Conservative Party.

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Sir Keir said: "Being in the North West to meet key business leaders and community leaders, it is clear Ben Hartley is preparing to hit the ground running on behalf of working people. I am grateful to Ben for bringing together some of the key leaders in the community for me to meet and to hear first-hand why Altrincham and Sale West needs change.

"2024 is a momentous year for the country. The power of the vote is in the hands of the British people, and we will fight every day to earn it. And as the election comes closer, I am proud to say we have the strongest generation of candidates our party has seen. We have built a changed Labour Party ready to serve working people in Altrincham and Sale West and across the United Kingdom."

The appearance by the Labour Party leader comes after an appearance by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Altrincham Market at the start of this month.

He was seen with Conservative MP Sir Graham Brady and his prospective replacement, Oliver Carroll, who wants to hold onto Sir Graham's 6000-majority when the veteran MP stands down.

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Cllr Hartley said: "It was a pleasure to welcome Keir Starmer to the North West as he embarks on his first Mission Tour of the country. I was able to highlight the support needed for local residents and businesses through the cost of living crisis and the need to get local NHS services back on their feet and fit for the future, as well as to outline the damage 14 years of Conservative Government has done to our community.

"Under Keir Starmer's leadership, we now have a changed Labour Party ready to face the electorate. Altrincham and Sale West is ready for an election, ready for its first Labour MP and ready for a Labour Government."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.