A PRESTWICH man has declared his intention to stand for Mayor of Greater Manchester – claiming his bid is ‘a move away from party politics’.

Businessman Michael Elston, 39, intends to stand as a independent candidate in next May’s election, opposing current incumbent Andy Burnham.

The election, which was due to take place in May, was deferred until 2021 because of the coronovirus pandemic.

Mr Elston grew up in Prestwich and is a keen Bury FC fan, and went to Manchester Grammar School and then The University of Birmingham, where he studied ancient history, specialising in Egyptology.

He said his intention to stand for election was motivated by the current party political landscape.

He said: “Party politics is bitterly divisive because each of our major parties seeks to exploit the segments of society from which they don’t receive support.

“I’m against exploiting anyone, no matter what background they come from.

“The most successful businesses try out lots of new ideas. I’d rather have politicians who all have different ideas rather than all sharing the same idea but never actually doing anything.”

He said this year’s events have also led to his decision to stand.

He said: “This is the most terrible tragedy in British history and it’s still going on, every day in our hospitals.

“The three major political parties all know about it and have all been complicit.

“If elected, I’ll set up an entirely independent ombudsman to investigate cases of medical negligence.”

Asked to explain his core policies to improve the lives of GM people, Mr Elstone said he would address the issue of civil penalties and what he perceives as a lack of justice in the courts.

He said: “If elected, I’ll rescind all fines issued against residents of Greater Manchester and I’ll prohibit bailiffs from operating in Greater Manchester.

“I’ll overturn any magistrates’ court or county court judgement issued against a defendant who has not been informed that the trial is taking place, who has not been given sufficient time to find legal representation, or without a trial having taken place at all.

“This will put an end to the public being perpetually exploited by gas and electricity companies, water companies, telephone companies, mobile and broadband providers, banks and building societies, insurance companies and the authorities.

“These are not promises I make lightly. These are genuine election pledges that I intend to fulfil.”

He said the the first thing he would do if elected mayor would be: “Employ 200 bobbies on the beat, not just to deter crime and to catch criminals but also to get to know the people who live in the area.

“They can help the people who need it and so that when a crime does take place, they’ll have a better idea of who is and who isn’t likely to have committed it.”