Hebden Bridge News

Ed Balls Meets Shoppers In Calder Valley

Brighouse shoppers received a surprise over the weekend when the General Election campaign came to their local supermarket, as the Schools Secretary, Ed Balls, met with shoppers and staff in Tesco.

Accompanied by the Calder Valley Labour Parliamentary Candidate, Steph Booth, Ed Balls spent almost an hour discussing local education issues with youngsters, answering questions from members of the public and chatting with Tesco staff over a cup of tea.

“The response was very positive and many took the time to quiz the Schools Secretary about key issues that face our area.”

Speaking after the visit, Steph Booth said: “This election has energized a lot of people because there’s so much at stake for our country. Many people are really getting into the debate. But it’s rare they get the chance to talk politics in the shopping aisles at their local Tesco. The response was very positive and many took the time to quiz the Schools Secretary about key issues that face our area.”

Steph added that with the election only a few days away, people were starting to ask tough questions about both parties as they made their mind up who to vote.

“Ed was happy to compare Labour policies with Conservative plans,” she said. “People are impressed with our guarantee of one to one catch-up tuition and the fact that we’re extending free nursery places. But they’re less impressed with the Conservatives plans to cut £1.7billion from the schools budget this year and let nurseries introduce top up fees for three and four year olds.

“We’ve made huge advancements in education in recent years and it’s important that people realise that much of the progress we’ve made, including Sure Start, free nursery care, and the rebuilding of thousands of schools across the country is at risk if the Conservatives are elected this week.”