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A 'working class Tory' who was inspired to get into politics by Margaret Thatcher is waging war on kebab shops in one area of our region that has become saturated with takeaways.

Iceland cashier Daniel Clarke has promised to crack down on takeaways in his fight to become a councillor for a Runcorn neighbourhood where there are thought to be as many as 19 fast food outlets in one street.

Runcorn's Old Town, which falls within the Mersey ward, has become notorious amongst locals for the proliferation of takeaways over the years.

Halton Borough Council's chief planning officer Tim Gibbs has recently said reversing this is a challenge for the council because other businesses aren't interested in developing there, leaving them with a choice between a approving a takeaway or having a bordered up shop.

But 30 -year-old Daniel believes he can take on the task as he prepares to stand for election in the Mersey ward in Runcorn for the fourth year running.

He said: "I have got a personal vendetta against takeaways. I'm a strong believer in the high street being a sense of community. Our hight street is basically dying.

"It should not be the choice of just two [takeaway or nothing]. It's narrow sighted to have one or the other. I would like to see more small independent businesses. We have a really superb butchers [on the high street]. I would like to see a competition rather than a monopoly of the same thing."

If elected, Daniel said he would seek to work with licensing or planning to reduce the number of licenses granted for fast food shops in the community.

He added: "I don't think the council should willy nilly hand out licenses. I want people to take pride in our area and shop here instead of Warrington, Widnes and Liverpool. I just want better for my area."

There are only two conservative councillors in Halton - a married couple who hold both seats in the affluent village of Daresbury.

Daniel is confident he will increase the amount of votes he will get this year compared to last, if not win the seat.

The Open University Student faces tough competition against sitting Labour councillor Norman Plumpton-Walsh, who has been a member of the council for seven years.

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But Daniel, who is gay, working class and spent his teenage years in foster care, is hoping his non-traditional background will break stereo-types of what it means to be a Tory in the labour-dominated area.

He has previously revealed how Margaret Thatcher inspired his love for politics and insists the Conservative Party are for all.

Speaking about his working class roots on Tuesday he told the ECHO: "I think it's something that's wrongfully stuck, the idea that the Tories only care for the rich.

"I was raised by my elderly grandparents who were on a basic pension. Having a day out to Liverpool was a treat. I was 21 before I went on holiday. I shared a box room with my sister from the age of 9 to 12. I was in foster care in my early teens.

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"It was under Tony Blair's Labour government that I saw what the state had to offer and I did not want that for myself. I wanted to be more self-sufficient and self reliant.

"Those who are in need of help should be helped but they should not be dissuaded from helping themselves, it should not be automatic.

"The stereotype that all young people should be Labour or socialists annoys me. It's something that I am trying to break. "

Daniel Clarke will be contesting the Mersey ward at next month's Halton Council elections against Jamie Lunt for the Lib Dems and Norman Plumpton-Walsh for Labour.