CHRONICLE readers have reacted angrily to city MP Stephen Mosley’s refusal to sign a motion congratulating fan-owned Chester FC on a second successive championship victory.

Last week we reported that Mr Mosley would not be adding his name to an Early Day Motion (EDM) – tabled in Parliament on April 24 – because he would rather save taxpayers’ money.

The Chester MP no longer signs EDMs as they ‘cost over £1m a year just to print and have no legislative effect whatsoever’.

Mr Mosley, who said he was ‘absolutely delighted for everyone involved with Chester FC’ that they had achieved back-to-back titles, has signed or seconded a total of nine EDMs in the past, the last being June 2011.

People have been responding to our story on the Chronicle Facebook page and on Twitter.

Phil Welch said: “He should be supporting the motion. He says it’s a waste of public money, but a fan-run club is surely the Big Society made real.”

Ray Gillies-Jones added: “Presumably, as it has already been raised, signing or not makes no difference to the costs involved. Therefore, he should sign.”

Jonathan Kerr described Mr Mosley’s stance as ‘shameful’, while Pete Wright wrote on our Facebook page: “CFC 1 MP 0 (Mosley o.g.).”

Not all responses were negative toward the MP though.

David Craggs said: “Sorry, but I agree, why should this be a subject for an Early Day Motion? This is a good thing, but doesn't need to be debated in parliament!”

Deborah Gibson-Morris added: “Seriously, you all think it's a great idea that our MP should use his time and tax payers money to stand up in half empty houses of commons to tell a group of uninterested politicians how well Chester FC has done – frightening!”

The motion was tabled by John McDonnell – Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington – on behalf of Sussex-based Chester FC fan Richard Hanford who had come up with the idea.

Richard, one of the founder members of the Chester Exiles supporters group, works in Westminster for an independent parliamentary consultancy.

He hopes the motion will not only raise the profile of Chester FC and what the club has achieved over the last two years, but also supporter ownership in general.

Eight politicians, including Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Andrew Miller, have so far signed it.

To view the EDM visit www.parliament.uk/edm/ 2010-12/3007.