Reaction to new Labour leader

AS THE new Labour Leader Ed Miliband takes office, two local labour party representatives have given their reaction to his newly elected status.

Speaking after Mr Miliband made his first speech to the Labour Party Conference last week, James Royston, Bexhill and Battle's prospective Labour Party candidate said:

"Ed Miliband's election is great for the Labour Party and for the country. As his visit to Hastings in August showed, he understands that the South East matters, and that we will be hit by the ConDem coalition's cuts as much as any other region.

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"Ed's speech to the Labour Party Conference this week made clear that he is a force to be reckoned with, who can represent the interests of the whole country '“ he wants to curb the excesses of bankers but has no fear of telling the unions when they are wrong. I look forward to watching him take on Cameron and Clegg at the next election."

Philipa Coughlan, secretary of Bexhill & Battle Labour Party Women's Section gave her personal view, emphasising that she is not speaking on behalf of the Bexhill and Battle Constituency Party.

Philipa has been involved with the Labour Party since the early 90's.

She said: "The typical response from the right wing press, and no doubt from Tories locally, will be that electing Ed Miliband is because of a mass of Union votes and a sudden lurch to the political left of British politics.

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"Those that say that do so because they wanted 'more of the same' from Labour - or New Labour as it was known."

Philipa worked in Westminster for 13 years for MP Dr Nick Palmer and during her time there got to know Ed Miliband:

"Knowing Ed for a few years I saw him developing a real insight into how the Party was drifting, that it wasn't speaking for workers, ordinary families and those who saw the country moving away from its traditional values.

"I hoped he would stand in the Leadership Elections, supported his campaign and am delighted he won."

Philipa added:

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"I think the Labour Party will have to take a serious look at itself and its direction.

"We've been involved in that 'big society' for years as members helped across many community groups, through their Christian socialist beliefs in the church and in the wider world for real change."