POLITICIANS have begun backing a motion congratulating fan-owned Chester FC on a second successive championship victory – but the city’s MP will not be one of them.

Eight MPs have so far signed the Early Day Motion since it was tabled in Parliament on April 24.

But Chester MP Stephen Mosley will not be adding his name to the motion because he would rather save taxpayers’ money.

He said: “Early Day Motions cost over £1m a year just to print and have no legislative effect whatsoever.

“Like most MPs I no longer sign them and therefore save the taxpayer thousands of pounds a year.”

Mr Mosley said he was ‘absolutely delighted for everyone involved with Chester FC’ that they had achieved back-to-back titles.

“The players, the fans, and City Fans United all have my heartfelt congratulations on what is a truly fantastic achievement,” he added.

Other local MPs Stephen O’Brien, representing the Eddisbury constituency, Mark Tami (Alyn and Deeside), and David Hanson (Delyn) have also not signed the motion.

However, Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Andrew Miller has given it his backing.

Of those who have signed it, six are Labour Party MPs and two represent the Democratic Unionist Party.

The Early Day Motion was tabled by John McDonnell – Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington – on behalf of Sussex-based Blues 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.

Early Day Motions are submitted by MPs for debate in the Commons. They actually rarely reach the debate stage but are used by MPs to draw attention to a particular event or cause.

The Chester FC motion reads: “That this House congratulates Chester Football Club on winning the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League title; acknowledges their remarkable achievement in scoring over 100 goals and amassing 100 points to win a second successive championship since this phoenix club, from the ashes of Chester City FC, was formed by City Fans United two years ago; and commends the community club as an excellent model of supporter ownership.”

To view the motion and the MPs who have signed it visit www.parliament.uk/edm/2010-12/3007.