Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Tom Watson in Castleton to support Liz McInnes

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Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Tom Watson with Liz McInnes

Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Tom Watson visited the Woolworth’s Social Club on Gipsy Lane, Castleton during the evening of Tuesday (2 May) to offer his support to Liz McInnes in her bid to be re-elected the Member of Parliament for Heywood & Middleton.

Mr Watson said: “I support Liz because for the short time she has been at Westminster, she’s made a difference. She holds the government to account. The constituency needs a powerful Labour voice, and that is Liz. She is brave, honest and very courageous and is not afraid to take on key issues. I really want to see her back in Westminster.”

Ms McInnes said: “Key issues raised by residents have included opportunities for children and problems with the schools caused by Tory underfunding education. Parents are getting letters from the schools to bring in toilet roll, basic things. Headteachers are concerned about the Tory funding. The most deprived pupils are being hit the hardest. We’re going backwards, not forwards and it is not good: every child deserves an education.

“There is also health care, access to GPs and A&E waiting times. With health care, the Government needs to look closely at the Secretary of State for Health. I’ve challenged Jeremy Hunt so many times. I hope to see a Secretary of State who is Labour, not Tory, who understands the NHS.

“Hopefully, if I am re-elected, I am going to carry on holding the government to account.”

Mr Watson added: “Labour will abolish zero-hour contracts and increase the minimum wage to £10-per-hour. Rochdale has many thousands who need that.”

Tom Watson with Liz McInnes and local Labour supporters

Speaking about ‘Brexit negotiations’, the Deputy Leader said: “I respect the decision to trigger Article 50, but we have a very different vision. The number one issue is to sell goods abroad at competitive prices on a tariff-free market, something the Tories had in their manifesto from 2015.”

The MP for Heywood and Middleton commented: “We had a shining example in Middleton with a project gone wrong because of Brexit - Warwick Mill. It was bought by a Chinese company who wanted to showcase their products for sale. Brexit put a halt on that project, the company is waiting for a solution and everyone thought they had solved having this derelict mill in Middleton, but we still have it.

“We need to make sure we have a good trade deal for the people of Europe.”

Addressing Labour councillors and supporters, Mr Watson stated: “On eight occasions in just nine months, Theresa May has promised she won’t call an election because ‘the stakes are too high’.”

He elaborated: “She called a general election because she saw an opportunity for a huge majority vote. I don’t believe that’s good for democracy.”

When asked how he thought the election would go, he said: “It is too close to call. Labour is behind in the polls and we will have to climb a mountain.

“Even if we don’t make up the gap, Heywood and Middleton need a powerful voice like Liz.”