Labour Party Conference hears pledges and promises for the Midlands
by Alison Mackenzie
The first full day of the Labour Party Conference in Manchester has heard a pledge from Ed Balls to build 100,000 affordable homes and witnessed a former soldier on the conference platform urging greater consideration for the plight of war veterans.
Ed Balls MP as shadow chancellor, likened the challenge that lies ahead as being similar to that facing post war britain in the 1940s. He told the conference that the lessons learned from that generation would help a future Labour government make the tough decisions while not sacrificing the future of our children and grandchildren.
Earlier on stage, army veteran Jon Wheale gave his backing to Labour's pledge on finding job opportunities for service personnel returning from conflicts. He condemned the cuts to the Mercian regiment announced in the government's security review and said fighting for ex soldiers rights is what drives him in his campaign to bid for the Burton seat for Labour in 2015.
Tonight on the conference fringe, Centro, the transport executive for the West Midlands will be hosting an event for the shadow transport team.
– Geoff Inskip, Chief Executive"A sustainable transport system to connect the midlands is essential with HS2 at its heart."
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