This in from Stewart Blackmore, in his own words. Ed
Labour’s parliamentary candidate here on the Island attended the Labour party conference last week in Manchester where he talked with Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls at an event held for all South East region candidates.
Stewart said,
“Ed showed a keen interest in the Island and wanted to know how we were being affected by the recession and the government’s austerity measures.
“I told him about my particular concerns about the ferries serving the Island and he indicated that a Labour government would include ferries in a strengthened regulatory body, which is something which I know Islanders will applaud.”
Two of the Island’s biggest issues
Stewart went on to say,
“I was also able to tell the shadow chancellor that the two biggest issues on the Island were the so-called bedroom tax and the NHS.
“Ed reassured me that, if he becomes chancellor at the next election, the bedroom tax would be axed immediately.
“He also said that a Labour government would repeal the Care Act and this was confirmed during the conference when Andy Burnham (shadow health secretary) announced it during his speech later that week.”
