A day in the race: September 9th

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

Today has been mostly spent in the South West, as the candidates campaigned in the Exeter by-election, and prepared for the Labour in the World hustings in Bristol this evening.

ED BALLS and team were up early this morning after a late-night drive to the South West. By all accounts Lord Jim Knight, the driver for the journey, has a someone what 1980s musical taste.

First up today Ed was at Bodmin Town Hall for a meeting with members from across Cornwall.

Ed also met up with his ‘penpal’ 15 year old David Evans. They’ve been corresponding for the past three years after David contacted Ed about the challenges he faced at school as an Asperger’s Syndrome sufferer. Ed played the drums with David (who is a talented guitarist). I was excited about this when I saw a photo this morning, but the video is even better:

The big question is, does Yvette let him play the drums in the house, or is he sent to play them in the garage? Today’s video also reminded me of this old classic.

Afterwards Balls and his team headed to Exeter where he joined the other candidates at a brief hustings before campaigning for the local by-election.

Ed also responded to BBC research on how government cuts will impact upon different areas of the country:

“While Nick Clegg now concedes that the recovery will be choppy, he and the chancellor are steering it into more dangerous waters.”

“At a time when our economy is still fragile, and there are growing fears about the US and other economies around the world, it is a short-sighted and catastrophic mistake to make deep and immediate cuts to jobs programmes, support for industry and vital public services.”

Before tonight’s hustings he joined CWU members in Bristol city centre to campaign against Royal Mail privatisation. Tomorrow Ed will be back campaigning in Yorkshire, before appearing on Radio 4’s Any Questions from Sheffield.

ED MILIBAND was out campaigning with candidate Heather Morris in Cowick ward for the Exeter by-elections today.

On the donations front, his team were keen to stress small donations today in an email to supporters, saying:

“We’ve now built a list of over 1,000 small donors in this campaign most of them giving £5, £10 or £20.”

“Thank you – it is because of your support that we are neck and neck in this election and that it’s too close to call in these final days.”

However, what isn’t mentioned on their website – but was released in a press statement today – is the volume of money that Ed Miliband has received in donations from the Trade Unions. Perhaps, after today’s Sun splash, the Ed campaign are concerned about being labelled the Trade Union candidate, a charge he firmly denied at a press conference earlier in the campaign…

Of the £328,000 that has been raised in total during the leadership campaign, £133 000 has been received from trade unions. What is perhaps most impressive though is the amount of cash raised from small donations – which totals £95,000 so far, including £39,000 in online efforts – more than double the amount that David Miliband has raised in similar donations.

Ed also released a video today of a speech he made at his old school, Haverstock in Camden, at the weekend:

DAVID MILIBAND announced his latest figures for fundraising today. In total over the course of his campaign he has pulled in nearly £450,000 of which £130,000 was raised in August. David said:

“I am very grateful for the generous support I’ve received since the start of the campaign. It’s humbling that people are giving up both their time and their money to help me in my bid to become the next Leader of the Labour Party.”

“All candidates in this election have talked about the need to renew our party. But that costs money. We cannot pretend to be in favour of rebuilding the party if we are not willing to raise the money that requires. I am determined that the Labour Party will never again be outspent in an election.”

He also attacked the Tory/Lib Dem cuts once again, following BBC Research showing that would affect the North and places with the highest unemployment hardest:

“Many areas in the Midlands and the North, like Middlesborough and Stoke, are only just recovering from the damage done by the Tories during the 1980s. The impact on lives and communities was devastating and now the Tories are threatening to do it all over again.”

“The chancellor must commit to publishing a detailed analysis of the impact of his Spending Review on different regions – and set out how he plans to ensure his cuts do not disproportionately affect those parts of our country least able to cope. The Tory approach that simply shrinking the state will get the economy growing owes more to ideology not economic reality.”

David also back Rethink’s “Fair Treatment Now” campaign, and was out on the Labour doorstep today in Exeter, where he recorded an Audioboo with local candidate Rachel Sutton.

DIANE ABBOTT was also in Exeter today, canvassing in the local elections, before heading on to Bristol for what is one of the last of the hustings in this campaign.

Diane also outlined her stance on the arms trade today. Abbott said that she opposed government support and subsidy for the arms trade; that UK Trade & Investment Defence & Security Organisation should be closed; that export credit cover should not be used for military goods and that private military and security companies should be licensed.

ANDY BURNHAM was claiming victory today his his campaign to save NHS direct. As we reported yesterday, Andy had received a letter from health secretary Andrew Lansley – today he has revealed the contents. Andy said:

“Mr Lansley’s own department confirmed to the BBC that it was planning to scrap NHS Direct – he now says all he wants to change is the phone number.”

“NHS Direct is a much-valued service that saves the NHS money. This is a welcome climb-down and great news for the staff who work for NHS Direct and all of us who rely on it. It’s an incredible victory for the campaign to save NHS Direct.”

“I hope Mr Lansley will learn a hard lesson from this. Making casual off-the-cuff comments about services that people rely on is no way to run the NHS.”