Corbyn hails crowd passion as Spa plays host to the hustings
More than 1,000 supporters turn the black and white Suncourt red to hear leader’s vision
The sun shone down over the Scarborough Spa as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn took to the Suncourt, welcomed by cheers from more than 1,000 supporters.
Joined by John Prescott, Mr Corbyn travelled to the seaside town to show his support for Labour candidate Eric Broadbent , candidate for Scarborough and Whitby.
Speaking to the roaring crowds, Mr Corbyn said: “This is a constituency that we want to win – that’s why we are here.”
Speaking to The Scarborough News following the rally, Mr Corbyn said: “We are very pleased with the reaction, very pleased with the enthusiasm of the crowd. But also its diversity, everybody was there young, old, black white, gay, straight, and people with their children and their dogs.”
The leader of the opposition party also spoke of his “love” for the town and his various visits which began in 1960 for the young socialists conference to his most recent visit in February last year where he addressed members a Young Labour conference, as well as of the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union in February last year.
He also spoke fondly of a midnight walk along the seafront following the visit with his wife calling the view across the harbour “stunning.”
Labour candidate Eric Broadbent, a borough and county councillor, will be up against seven other candidates.
The Scarborough and Whitby seat has been held by Conservative Robert Goodwill for the past three elections but Labour is hoping that will change.
During his speech, Mr Corbyn was met with huge cheers as he spoke of Labour’s manifesto on social care, education, culture funding and arts in schools.
Mr Corbyn also voiced his opinions on transport in coastal towns and electrifying railways in the area and across the country. He said British seasides have completely changed and people no longer come for a week they come for days and special events. Labour’s leader said: “That means you actually need better transport connections.
“Whilst we have electrified railway lines on the spines of the country, East coast, West coast and West of England route. “What we don’t usually have is electrified lines to the coast. “Wearepledged to improve electrification across the whole system but also a cross rail for the north which is essentially linking north east ports with Manchester and Liverpool on the other side.
“That’s what the national investment bank is about.
“And so Scarborough to be successful, and it’s a wonderful place, obviously has to be attractive to get to and if it’s not attractive to get to people aren’t going to come.”