Medway Labour was proud to host the Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn MP for the launch of Labour’s election manifesto.

Cllr Vince Maple, Councillor for Chatham Central and Leader of the Medway Labour Group said, “It is fantastic that Jeremy chose Medway to launch our Party’s manifesto today.

“I agree with his strong message that it is only the Labour Party that can bring our country back together, whereas other parties will only stand up for the 48% or the 52% recognising a number of the key issues like the climate emergency which needs an approach of local, national and international action.

“Jeremy also took time to acknowledge the Labour Group in Medway has the largest number of Councillors for 20 years.

“A huge thanks to Universities at Medway for hosting this national event in our community.”

Cllr Naushabah Khan, Councillor for Gillingham South and Medway Labour Housing Spokesperson said, “I was delighted to welcome Jeremy to Medway today to hear his clear message that Labour is focused on rebuilding our divided communities.

“This can no longer simply be about leave vs remain, but upholding our democratic processes while protecting jobs and the economy. It’s time to rebuild our country together and ensure no one is left behind.”

Cllr Clive Johnson, Councillor for Gillingham South and Medway Labour Spokesperson for Children and Young People said, “I really enjoyed hearing the positive vision for Britain that Jeremy laid out for us today.

“It was a powerful vision of a unified society where we are all valued and respected.  It was a vision with the ambition to tackle social injustice, poverty, poor housing, health inequality, the slashing of school budgets, and the climate emergency.

“It was clear from Jeremy today that only Labour can deliver locally, nationally and internationally, on the key issues facing us.”

Cllr Chrissy Stamp, Councillor for Watling said, “It’s great to have Jeremy Corbyn in Medway today recognising how well we did in the local elections last week.

“Jeremy’s speech delivered a message of unity, which is incredibly important in a time when other parties are relying on divisive politics to gain support.”

Cllr Alex Paterson, Councillor for Rochester West said, “Labour has consistently taken a grown-up approach to EU Withdrawal negotiations. But that considered, nuanced approach is all too easily drowned out by the toddler tantrums of the likes of Nigel Farage.

“Amid the din of ultra-leavers and ultra-remainers talking at each other, it was good to hear Jeremy Corbyn turn the spotlight on key issues such as child poverty, education cuts and food justice.

“Waving flags will not put a roof over a family’s heads, it will not pay a teacher’s wage and it will not feed a single child. What is increasingly clear is that we need a Labour government to unite our country and act in the interests of the many, not the privileged few.”

Cllr Siju Adeoye, Councillor for Chatham Central said, “I’m elated to have our leader Jeremy Corbyn in our towns and in my former library where I was a student of the University of Kent at Medway. It was great to see how well received our next Prime Minister was by the students of the Universities at Medway.

“What’s clear today is that the Labour Party is the only party able to unite our nation; Jeremy made it clear that we need to understand the reasons why people voted to leave. As Jeremy said, we need to get back to basics. If we don’t address the underlying issues in our society, Brexit will not heal the increasing divisions we are experiencing as a nation.

“Wherever you go, whether it’s Medway or Manchester, the challenges that we all face are the same. Failed Tory austerity and the widening gap between the haves and the have nots are the true causes of division in our communities.”

Cllr Harinder Mahil, Councillor for Chatham Central said, “By launching our manifesto in Medway, the Labour Party has shown its commitment to our towns and to getting Brexit sorted.

“Jeremy Corbyn was absolutely right to point out that dividing our communities into leavers and remainers is a fools game and it’s only the Labour Party that is finding ways to unite the country.”

Cllr Hazel Browne, Councillor for Twydall said, “In launching the Labour Party’s European election campaign in Medway, Jeremy Corbyn sent a clear message on uniting our country which the Tories have bitterly divided. Brexit is not about remain or leave, but about the fair and equal country we can become.”