Labour leader Ed Miliband in Papplewick

More than 350 people from across the region, including a dozen MPs and former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Roy Hattersley, packed The Goosedale venue near Papplewick to hear the Labour Leader speak. And a former Acting Leader, Derby’s Margaret Beckett MP, was presented with a long service award during the evening.

Léonie Mathers from Hucknall, who spoke at the event and introduced Ed Miliband, is the party’s candidate to be the next MP for Sherwood, a seat held by Labour’s Paddy Tipping until 2010.

Sherwood had one of the closest results in the country at the last General Election in 2010, with a majority of just 214 out of almost 50,000 votes cast.

“It was a pleasure to bring Ed to Papplewick this week,” said Léonie Mathers. “I spoke to him about the cost of living crisis facing people here in Nottinghamshire, with prices rising faster than wages month after month.

“Ed set out Labour’s plans to freeze the cost of gas and electric, which will help a lot of people. It’s time to stand up to the big energy firms, it’s just not fair that they are making millions in profit, while people in Nottinghamshire are forced to choose between heating or eating this Christmas.”