Ed Miliband: 'Labour is going to win back Crewe and Nantwich' (video)
LABOUR leader Ed Miliband says his party has learned from previous electoral defeats in Crewe and Nantwich.
Mr Miliband visited the constituency yesterday to take part in a question and answer session at Pickmere Court residential scheme in Crewe.
-
Labour leader Ed Miliband in Crewe.
Labour lost control of the previously safe seat in a 2008 by-election, during Gordon Brown's most unpopular period as Prime Minister.
Mr Miliband told residents in Crewe that he would reverse his predecessor's hugely unpopular decision to abolish the 10p tax which left around 25 million people on low incomes worse off.
Cheap Van Insurance(Commercial & Private Use) - Contact Insure365...
View detailsCheap Van Insurance(Commercial & Private Use) - Contact Insure365 01782 898188, Free Legal Expenses Cover Included at £25.00!
Terms: 1 Voucher Per Customer
Contact: 01782 898188
Valid until: Monday, June 24 2013
The Labour leader said he believed this had been a key issue in the 2008 election.
Mr Miliband said: "This is a seat we hope to win back at the general election. I think the most important thing that we're trying to offer people in Crewe is that this is a Labour Party which is changing and that understands the mistakes that we've made such as the 10p tax. I remember being here for the by-election. I remember people being angry about it. We're not just saying we got it wrong, we're saying we're going to put it right. We want to reintroduce the 10p rate. I think there can be no greater symbol of the fact that Labour's willing to admit its mistakes and move on.
"I want to convince the people of Crewe that Labour is not only on their side but has got the best chance of offering them the future that this area wants."
Over the course of an hour Mr Miliband answered questions from members of the public on a wide range of topics from the EU to unemployment to the NHS.
Mr Miliband was invited to Crewe by Dr Adrian Heald, Labour's Parliamentary candidate for Crewe and Nantwich.
Dr Heald, a senior consultant physician at Leighton Hospital, was given the full support of his party leader.
Mr Miliband said: "I'm very proud of our local candidate because he's somebody who's currently serving the people of this area through the health service and now wants to serve them in Parliament."
The Labour leader and Dr Heald both praised Pickmere Court as a model to be replicated around the country.
Pickmere Court resident Barbara Hannigan, who got the chance to ask Mr Miliband a question, said she was pleased he had come to Crewe.
The 80-year-old said: "I've always voted Labour. It's good that someone like him has come here to talk to us. I agreed with a lot of what he said."
The 2008 by-election was called following the death of Labour stalwart Gwyneth Dunwoody, who had held the seat since 1983.
Tory candidate Edward Timpson was victorious, and he successfully defended the seat in the 2010 general election.
22 Comments
View all
by pottersfreak6
Monday, March 04 2013, 9:26AM
“Tabazan my point was that issues affecting .02 of the population are not as important to ordinary people as immigration &jobs ! If you want to discuss "discrimination" why are the major parties NOT addressing the issue of Asian women being subjugated by their husbands & religion?
Im all for inclusivity my point is for ordinary people their are far more important things on their agenda like paying the mortgage or being priced out of a job !
Let the major parties sort out discrimination when they have sorted the country first !
ps I am not a political animal I just see that UKIP are a different way forward !”
by Tabazan
Sunday, March 03 2013, 9:17PM
“@pottersfreak6
You said;
"Time for a major change lets concentrate on whats important economy,immigration,jobs NOT gay marriage & wind farms which is all these two can focus on!!"
I would agree that it is time for a change, but I would be interested to know just where UKIP stand on gay marriage. Even as a straight person, I can see that gay marriage is about equality and the reduction of discrimination, and any political party that does not actively seek to promote and protect these fundamental human rights does not deserve my vote.”
by pottersfreak6
Sunday, March 03 2013, 8:54PM
“Who cares whether its tories or Labour they are all morally bankrupt anyhow.Time for a major change lets concentrate on whats important economy,immigration,jobs NOT gay marriage & wind farms which is all these two can focus on!! Vote UKIP &do yourselves a favour for a better future for your family. Cameron or Milliband you have got to be joking !!!!!”
by OddSock
Saturday, March 02 2013, 3:39PM
“i'm certain that plank cameron will be ousted out next election he is clueless,only on a power trip,he is more interested with giving other countrys millions while his own people starve,the man belongs in the hague with the other EVIL DICTATORS,people like 'spudder' are clueless cameron will be gone he has let the uk people down BIG TIME,a nasty sadist who should be locked up for crimes against his own people hang the bas*%&d!”
by spudder56
Saturday, March 02 2013, 10:00AM
“Miliband and cos only policy will be borrow and tax more and spend more they are just clones of Brown and Blair if they ever get in power it will be the end of the road for all of us Ok The Coalition have a lot of faults but Labour will be far worse”
by penniner
Saturday, March 02 2013, 2:50AM
“Michael Foot was humiliated and thrashed at the 1983 general election because of his far left policies. Miliband is a puppet of the Communist unions. Labour were thrashed in Eastleigh and have no hope of winning the next election while Miliband is in charge. Ed Balls or Milibands brother or Burnham would be better bets for them. Dim Edwin acts like a bullied geography school teacher that the kids mock each lesson. He is a laughing stock and out of touch with the masses but then again so are the Labour Party generally. The three major parties are devoid of new ideas and fail to connect with the people.”
by OddSock
Friday, March 01 2013, 8:00PM
“if miliband doesn't win the election he ought to resign imo he is soft & clueless like his brother,but with cameron's DISASTROUS 4 yrs stripping the poor on benefits cripples & disabled folk & closing everywhere down of importance miliband has a perfect opportunity abeit i think Ukip will pick up a lot of crumbs,DO NOT VOTE FOR THAT PLANK CAMERON AGAIN HE IS A POMPOUS,CLUELESS,ARROGANT,SELF RIGHTEOUS,STUCK UP,PIECE OF CHIT...HE BELONGS IN THE HAGUE!”
by pj123
Friday, March 01 2013, 7:31PM
“"These days politics has become more like the x-factor they have to be good looking and for some that's all that seems to matter"?
"Millipede good looking" get a new pair of glasses.
His head looks like a wingnut with his sticky out ears.”
by OddSock
Friday, March 01 2013, 7:13PM
“ed go back to bed & rest your brain cell, Ukip are getting the votes from brassed of people & as for cameron & his clowns,,,,enough said,,,R.I.P UK....”
by Andy2309
Friday, March 01 2013, 7:04PM
“Who would vote Labour? Just look at how they have managed Stoke on Trent City Council over the years. Care homes closed. City wide regeneration stopped in favour of Hanley. A civic centre move that is not needed, wanted or affordable.
Nationally, they swelled the public sector to the point WE can no longer afford it. Yes they introduced quangos, PCSOs, HATOs, hospital managers etc etc. We are now shrinking police numbers, council facilities and other much needed services.
The current coalition might be unpopular. Labour, headed by Miliband, are delluded.”