LABOUR candidate David Williams can win the Crewe and Nantwich seat back from the Conservatives, says Health Secretary Andy Burnham.

Mr Burnham told the Chronicle that as well as being in the town to see the medical centre he was also here ‘to support a great friend and an excellent local candidate’.

The Conservatives took the seat from Labour in a landslide victory in the 2008 by-election.

Until the by-election, Crewe and Nantwich had been a Labour stronghold.

But in May 2008, following the death of long serving Labour MP Gwyneth Dunwoody, Edward Timpson overturned a 7,000 majority to take the seat for the Tories with a majority of 8,000.

Speaking after his tour of the health centre, Mr Burnham said: “The by-election was mid-term and it was a difficult time – so it’s not comparable. This is a very different election.”

Referring to the first televised leaders’ debate, he said: “I think it was very clear that the country had seen through Mr Cameron. I think the honeymoon period’s now come to an abrupt end.”

He said he thought the Prime Minister won the debate but acknowledged: “Without a doubt Nick Clegg did very well.”

Mr Burnham said locally now was the time for Labour to win back Crewe and Nantwich.

“David Williams is an excellent candidate with a good track record. I think there’s every chance we can take this back,” he said.