The Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport came to the borough to praise the work the Labour party do.
MP Harriet Harman delivered a speech to Labour and non-Labour party members at a meeting in Pitzhanger Manor, Ealing, on Tuesday (August 26).
The session, attended by council leader Julian Bell, London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon Onkar Sahota and MP for Ealing Southall Virendra Sharma, consisted of a speech by Ms Harman titled The Choice and a speech by Labour party parliamentary candidate for Ealing and Acton Rupa Huq .
The speakers fielded questions on topics ranging from free schools, consultation and ATOS.
In her speech, Ms Harman said: “Labour’s team is stronger here since we won more council wards in the local elections earlier this year.
“The gains we’ve made at council level – not just here in Ealing, but all over the country – are a vital building block in our General Election campaign.
“I want to pay tribute to the work our councillors are doing across the country – paying the living wage, finding creative ways to protect services, battling the Bedroom Tax and expanding schools whilst facing some of the toughest budget cuts.”
She added: “We know it is a difficult time for our culture leads in local Government, having to make the case for arts and culture spending when social care, elderly care, rubbish collection and other essential services are facing cuts too.
“In Ealing, the council has an arts strategy which aims to enable more opportunities for all to participate and get involved.
“They help shape their communities through festivals and by supporting organisations like Pitzhanger Manor.”
