Labour battle bus arrives in Worthing with Love Island star

Hilary Benn, shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland, hopped off the giant red bus at Worthing Leisure Centre with former Love Island star and Worthing resident Amy Hart.

The visit was to show support for Labour candidates Tom Rutland and Dr Beccy Cooper, who are standing in East Worthing and Shoreham and Worthing West respectively.

Introducing Mr Benn to a sea of red supporters, Dr Cooper, who is also the leader of Worthing Borough Council, said Labour is “determined to win here”.

Both Worthing seats have been held by Conservatives since 1997 but polls predict the constituencies could change colour.

Beccy Cooper, Hilary Benn, Amy Hart and Tom Rutland (Image: The Argus)

“We’ve been working very hard for a number of years now,” said Dr Cooper.

“In 2022, we took the council.

“We are determined to win here.”

In his speech, Mr Benn referenced Labour governments past.

Hilary Benn and Beccy Cooper (Image: The Argus)

“When you think about '45 debt was even higher than it is now,” he said.

“That Labour government created the health service and found time to legislate to preserve beauty for posterity by creating the first national parks.

“The last one on the original list, the South Downs, fell to me to create when I was the secretary of state for the department for environment, food and rural affairs .

“1964, a Labour government that revolutionised our society, abolished capital punishment introduced the first equality legislation.

“The 97 Labour government that wonderful speech by Gordon Brown as he lists achievement after achievement after achievement.

“When we meet people on the doorstep who say I’m not sure anything will change for the better.

“The thing that should give us most confidence and the most pride is what Labour governments have done when we’ve been given the people’s trust and confidence in the past.”

Labour councillors and members (Image: The Argus)

The politician finished his speech with “be of good cheer, don’t give up and we will win”.

Yesterday, while backing Sian Berry’s bid to become Brighton Pavilion’s next MP, actor Steve Coogan said some Labour voters will be doing so “while holding their nose” because “some people might feel that core Labour values are in danger of being left by the wayside in the quest for popularity” during this election.

Mr Benn “firmly disagreed” with Mr Coogan’s comments and said if Labour wins it will achieve “real change”.

Hilary Benn arriving in Worthing (Image: The Argus)

“We’re being honest with voters,” he said.

“We’re not promising things that we can’t deliver.

“The country is crying out for change.

“One of the things that have really struck me is going out canvassing in places where in the past you might not have seen a Labour canvasser because people said ‘oh we’re not going to have any votes there’, and we’re getting quite a few votes there from people.

“We’re fighting for every vote.”