Shipley Labour has announced it has nominated Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Ed Miliband for leader of the Labour party. 

Local party members met in Bingley to hear statements from representatives of Ed Miliband and Shadow Children’s Secretary, Ed Balls and all the candidates responded to questions put to them in advance by party members, which were read out at the meeting. 

The nomination adds further momentum to Ed Miliband’s campaign to overtake his older brother, Shadow Foreign Secretary, David Miliband as favourite to become leader of the Labour party. 

Central to Ed’s campaign to become leader is a promise to implement a Living Wage for all public sector workers. A Living Wage takes into account living costs for the area and is generally higher than the Minimum Wage. 

Chair of Shipley Labour, Councillor Vanda Greenwood said ‘Ed’s emphasis on the importance of a Living Wage for workers is something that matters to a lot of our members, and it was good to see all candidates supporting that policy’. 

Local people were concerned when last year the Yorkshire Post reported that local MP, Philip Davies wanted to scrap the Minimum Wage. Shipley Labour is sending out a strong signal by nominating a candidate who has put a Living Wage at the top of his agenda. 

The other candidates for the Labour leadership are Shadow Education Secretary, Ed Balls who is backed by Bradford West MP Marsha Singh, Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham who is backed by Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe and Diane Abbott.

You can read the answers and statements provided by the candidates by clicking the relevant links below. Sadly we didn't receive a copy of Ed Balls' responses as they were read out on the night by his representative, however we would like to stress he did make the effort to provide responses and our thanks go to all candidates and representatives for their responses.

Andy Burnham statement: click here

David Miliband answers: click here

Diane Abbott answers: click here

Ed Miliband answers: click here