Jeremy Corbyn visits Hebden Bridge
Monday, 15 May 2017
Hundreds packed into the new Town Hall to support and to listen to the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, just over three weeks before the 8 June General Election
Originally booked for the Waterfront Hall, it was soon full to capacity. Hundreds more packed into the outside area, and Jeremy Corbyn was persuaded to give his speech twice, first to those in Waterfront Hall and then again from a balcony overlooking the outside area. It was one of the largest political gatherings the town has ever seen.
ITV News estimated that 2000 people arrived for the event.
For security reasons, the HebWeb and social media were asked not to publicise the event beforehand.
That didn't stop hundreds and hundreds turning up to hear the Labour leader say, "Josh is your man".
Introduced by the Labour candidate for the Calder Valley, Josh Fenton Glynn, Jeremy Corbyn was passionate, often amusing and was greeted with regular cheers from those who had turned out to hear him.
He said there were two general election campaigns. One is all about negativity and abuse. The other was the one is is seeing across the country, full of energy and enthusiasm from people from all ages and walks of life.
"In every town and every street in this country there's something very different going on. People are coming together like the thousands of us here today in Hebden Bridge."
The hacking of NHS hospitals and surgeries was due to the failure of the Government to defend the National Health Service, and to invest in it. Still talking about health, he emphasised that Labour would bring parity of esteem between the physical and mental health services.
All schools, he said, should be properly funded, and the country needs to invest in the skills it needs.
“Do we want a society with thousands living on the streets?”
How could Theresa May be a friend of the working class, as she claims when six million people earn less than the living wage, one million are on zero hours contracts and workers are denied funding to make their case at tribunals?
Jeremy Corbyn warmly greets former Halifax MP, Alice Mahon with whom he worked very closely when they were both backbenchers.
Former MPs Chris McCafferty and Alice Mahon catch up with each other
Jeremy Corbyn speech at Hebden Bridge - 15 may 2017 - inside
Jeremy Corbyn speech at Hebden Bridge - 15 may 2017 - outside
Photo: Bruce Cutts
Photo: Bruce Cutts
Photo: Bruce Cutts
Photo: Craig Shaw
See also
General Election section 2017 of the HebWeb