Ex-chancellor Rishi Sunak pulled pints and posed for selfies on the campaign trail in Cheshire ahead of tonight's big TV showdown with rival Liz Truss.

He was in Congleton looking to whip up support for his campaign to be prime minister, meeting with locals in The Swettenham Arms.

Mr Sunak went behind the bar for a photo opportunity, pulling a pint of Robinsons Brewery's flagship Unicorn beer.

One local was heard saying, "You've got the job!" to which Mr Sunak replied: "Not yet!"

The Conservative leadership candidate for No. 10 had banter with locals at this pub in the Congleton village of Swettenham. (Image - Richard Price)

Following Mr Sunak's speech to party members, one 22-year-old Tory, who's yet to make his mind up who should be his party's next leader said: "I think he's a good speaker."

"Personally, I am still undecided – and I think I will be undecided maybe until the day [of the vote].

"I think it was nice to listen to him in person about some of the ideas he's got."

Rebecca Zapolski, who was also at the pub, added: "I think people are yet to make their minds up.

The Richmond (Yorkshire) MP chats with Congletonian's at the countryside gastropub. (Image - Richard Price)

"I think the press lead people, so they have to make their own minds up."

She appeared to give her backing to the former chancellor, however, and said: "I really enjoyed meeting him, and I really respected his three core values which are family, hard work and education.

"I think, as a family person, that means a lot to me.

"I just think he's hardworking, and I like where he came from. I like the fact that he has those values from his background.

The Conservative leadership candidate pulled a pint of Robinsons Premium Golden Ale as he bantered with regulars. (Image - Richard Price)

"I think if he can give that opportunity to people – I would like to see education through merit and not through how affordable it is."

She added: "I think we have to get a grip on inflation before the economy can thrive and I think therefore sadly taxation [is necessary].

"There are good taxes and bad taxes. Corporation tax might be something that could be looked into. I'd like him to look at inheritance tax, things like that.

"But on the whole I think getting a grip on inflation is primary."

Sunak chats with William Robinson. (Image - Richard Price)

William Robinson is one of the joint managing directors of Robinsons Brewery which runs The Swettenham Arms.

He commented: "People need the opportunity to see the candidates face to face.

"Beyond that, everyone will make their choices and I'm sure they will select the right candidate in the end to run the country."

Speaking about the challenge his industry faces, Mr Robinson said: "The things that we're constantly talking to government about, local and national, are: business rates which are disproportionately affecting physical businesses such as ours; and the VAT differential between food you buy in the supermarkets and food you buy in pubs."

He added: "Hospitality is great at training and giving life skills to young people coming into the workplace for the first time.

"A lot of people's first experience is in hospitality. Half of our employees are under 25 and that is not untypical.

"Back us, and we can back the next generation into employment, developing all manner of different skills.

Macclesfield MP David Rutley has put his name to Mr Sunak's campaign and urged local party members to choose him to become the next prime minister.

You can watch a video of Sunak at the pub at the top of this article. Macclesfield MP David Rutley publicly backed Mr Sunak last Monday. Here he is pictured drinking water as Sunak delivers a speech. Congleton's MP did not attend. (Image - Richard Price)

Mr Rutley said: "He talked very clearly about the economy, that's a huge priority – particularly when we're facing record levels of inflation and when a lot of families are facing cost of living challenges.

"I worked with Rishi when I was in the treasury, I was the treasury whip. I'm also a Department for Work and Pensions minister.

"I want to make sure we can help people with cost of living challenges and while Rishi was chancellor he put forward a very serious set of packages to help people get through these very difficult times, so he's got the experience and the proven track record.

"That's why I'm backing his campaign here locally, but nationally as well."

Sunak even posed for photos on the Sunday afternoon visit. (Image - Richard Price)

He said the government was providing support to help people with the cost of living, but that tackling inflation was a priority.

He said: "It's a tough call, but when we've got inflation what we need to do is tackle that and bring it under control."

Sunak's opponent Liz Truss is also in the area at the moment, visiting Stoke-on-Trent. But there is no indication she is coming to Congleton.

Stoke-on-Trent is a key political battleground, compared to the safe seat of Congleton, having flipped from Labour to the Tories in 2019.

Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak both became MPs in the 2010s. (Image - Richard Townshend / Open Government Licence)

Both Congleton Conservatives and Liz Truss' team have been contacted for comment by Congleton Nub News, over the potential of a Congleton visit.

Tonight's TV debate - the final one before Tory members are able to vote - also takes place in Stoke-on-Trent.

Congleton MP Fiona Bruce did not attend. She has not publicly backed a candidate throughout the Tory leadership contest, but Congleton Nub News has asked whether her lack of attendance means she is backing Truss or not.

Britain will know their next PM when the votes are revealed in September.

The 16th century pub has been contacted for comment. (Image - The Swettenham Arms)

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