LEIGH'S Labour candidate for the next General Election has said that the party offers "hope to get Britain's future back" following its annual conference this week.

The Labour Party held its conference in Liverpool the week after the Conservatives held theirs in Manchester, with each party setting out their visions for the country before the next General Election.

Labour's candidate for the next election in Leigh and Atherton is the town's former MP Jo Platt, who was present for the party's address.

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Leigh Journal: Jo Platt was at the Labour conference in LiverpoolJo Platt was at the Labour conference in Liverpool (Image: Jo Platt)
Ms Platt said: "Keir Starmer’s ‘glittering speech’ spelt out a clear vision of what a Labour Government would do if in power.

“In stark contrast to last week’s Conservative Party Conference, Labour offered security and hope to get Britain’s future back.

“Compare that to Rishi Sunak, who neglected to mention the cost-of-living crisis in his speech, ferried around in his helicopter, ignorant to the challenges that working people face.

“The Labour Party’s five missions are a sure-fire way to put money and investment back into our towns.

"Rebuilding our NHS, creating a publicly-owned energy company, reclaiming our streets from ASB and crime, and building new homes that are desperately needed by focusing on ‘grey’ belt land consisting of disused car parks and wasteland.

“The country is in desperate need of change, from the residents of Leigh and Atherton to the myriad of small and established businesses, we are all desperate for stability, which Keir Starmer can deliver.”

Leigh Journal: The PM put his pledges across at the Conservative Party Conference in ManchesterThe PM put his pledges across at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester (Image: PA)
At the Conservative Party conference, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak insisted he was "prepared to be radical in the face of challenges".

The PM promised to use the £36 billion of savings from scrapping the HS2 line to fund a raft of other transport schemes. 

He also pledged to reform secondary school qualifications as well as plans to gradually impose restrictions on smoking and vapes.

Leigh's Conservative MP James Grundy previously stated that he is "delighted" that the money set aside for the northern leg of HS2 can go towards other transport projects, such as the potential of a new Metrolink line to Leigh and a new bypass to Wigan.