Saturday update:
You can now hear for yourself the arrogant and outrageous way that Harriet Harman continued to peddle scare stories about the Tories scrapping the winter fuel allowance and Sure Start Centres, when challenged by Ben Gummer on Thursday.
Cick here to listen to the local radio report of the encounter
Will Gordon Brown claim that this was unauthorised by him?? I hope the mainstream media will pick up on this and challenge him to distance himself from the words of his deputy leader. Here's the key moment in that exchange:
Ben Gummer: Do you accept we're going to keep the winter fuel allowance?
Harman: No I don't. I don't accept you're going to keep Sure Start. I don't trust you as far as I can throw you with important services.
---
When Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman visited the Tree House Sure Start Centre in Ipswich today, she got rather more than she bargained for.
She was met by Conservative candidate Ben Gummer and members of his campaign team demanding that she withdraw a series of smears and lies Labour have been spreading, suggesting that Conservatives will close Sure Start Centres and withdraw various benefits from OAPs.
Ben Gummer explained
“Harriet Harman and [Ipswich's Labour MP] Chris Mole should check their moral compasses. Labour lies about Conservative policies are designed to frighten people – especially vulnerable people – into voting for their discredited government. The uncertainty she is trying to create isn’t fair on parents, it isn’t fair on the hardworking Sure Start staff and it isn’t fair on the children that attend our Sure Start Centres.
“I have a very simple message for anyone involved with Sure Start in Ipswich: the Conservatives have no plans to close any Children's Centres. In fact we are the only party committed to expanding Sure Start. Sure Start will be safe with a Conservative government.
“We will strengthen Sure Start by recruiting 4,200 new Sure Start Health Visitors and introducing a universal Sure Start Health Visitor service – giving every family in Ipswich the expert help and advice they need.
“It is a measure of the Labour Party’s desperation to keep this seat that they are resorting to these kinds of tactics. Let me reiterate: the Conservatives will keep the Winter Fuel Allowance, keep free TV licences for the over 75s, keep free bus passes, and we will protect and expand Sure Start.
“This sad display from Labour shows just how stark the choice is for Ipswich voters: between Gordon Brown’s tired and mendacious government and a fresh start for Ipswich, with a new MP prepared to fight for the town and a Conservative government ready to rebuild Britain.”
Jonathan Isaby
Recent Comments