A TRIO of political heavyweights visited Ealing last week as anticipation over next month's election hots up.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband paid a visit to Southall on Friday (April 16), hosted by Ealing Southall Labour parliamentary candidate Virendra Sharma.

Mr Miliband paid a visit to Sri Guru Singh Sahba Gurdwara, in Havelock Road, before joining Mr Sharma on a walkabout in King Street.

He said: "I am really honoured to visit the gurdwara. The gurdwara is a tribute to Britain's diversity and tolerance. As British Foreign Secretary I represent people from all different faiths as well as those who do not worship at all.

"I urge the people of Ealing and Southall to take a long, hard look at Tory policies and what they would mean for economic recovery, front-line services and a Britain based on fairness, respect and decency."

The local Conservative campaign was kicked off by Ken Clarke, Shadow Business Secretary and former Chancellor of the Exchequer, in Ealing last Wednesday (April 14).

It was hosted by Angie Bray, parliamentary candidate for Ealing Central and Acton. He gave a talk to supporters, outlining Conservative plans for running the country and helping small and medium-sized businesses before going on a walkabout around Ealing Broadway.

And Attorney General Baroness Scotland paid a visit to Antilles House in Acton to meet sheltered housing residents.

Her trip was hosted by Bassam Mahfouz, Labour candidate for Ealing Central and Acton. He said: "The visit went extremely well. Everyone was very pleased to see her and she was interested in the residents' views."

All three visited the borough days after their respective parties released their manifestos.

The country will go to the polls on May 6.