News / Politics
Burnham at Bitton station to help ‘derail’ Rees-Mogg
A quiet West Country railway station might not be the immediate battleground that comes to mind to “save the soul of South Glos”.
But two veteran local politicians, Dan Norris and Jacob Rees-Mogg, have dropped the pleasantries for an all-out battle.
To bolster Norris’ campaign to unseat the incumbent Tory grandee, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham arrived at Bitton on Friday morning with less than a week until election day.
is needed now More than ever
Burnham and Norris met with staff and apprentices, and also tried their hand at operating a heritage steam engine that is part of Avon Valley Railway.
Dan Norris and Andy Burnham tried their hand at operating a steam train
The newly created North East Somerset & Hanham constituency is a hotly-contested seat between two men with history against one another.
For 13 years, since Labour’s win under Tony Blair in 1997, Norris represented the area before being defeated by Rees-Mogg in the 2010 general election.
According to Norris, “it’s rematch time” where he is hoping to become the MP for somewhere he feels has been “let down by the Conservatives”.
From the urbanised Hanham to the picturesque Chew Valley, there is every vote to be fought for in what could become one of the biggest national moments on July 4 if Rees-Mogg experiences his own ‘Portillo moment’.
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Speaking to Bristol24/7, Burnham said: “I was in Brighton, Swindon and Wales yesterday. And here in the Bristol and Bath area today, it’s the same.
“People are asking for change. They can’t really abide the thought of the country carrying on in the way that it’s been going in recent times.”
On the reasons for backing Norris, Burnham said: “I think it’s important for Dan Norris to win this seat, to reject that form of populist, xenophobic, right wing politics. That’s what’s at stake here.
“And Dan stands out against that. I don’t like the way things have been going, constantly fighting culture wars in this country, constantly separating one person from another. That not the way to go.”
Burnham is heading to Glastonbury over the weekend but vowed that it is “not just about the music” (LCD Soundsystem and Fontaines DC are two of his stand-out highlights) but to bring a “vital message”.
“I know there’ll be people there that will be thinking of voting Green or voting Lib Dem,” Burnham said.
“You’ve got to be certain. My message will be: don’t mess around with your vote.”
Burnham and Norris walked over to the adjacent park where they met party faithful
Burnham and Norris walked over to the adjacent park where they met Labour Party faithful and talked about some of the issues at stake at the upcoming election.
They also posed beside a campaign trailer urging people to vote tactically where Burnham re-enacted Rees-Mogg’s infamous pose when he lounged on the benches of the House of Commons chamber.
Standing on the Victorian-era platform at Bitton, Norris said: “We did everything very well in the past. Amazing skills, engineering and invention. We’re no different than those people. And yet somehow our government has been letting us down.
“I put up myself because I believe that I offer something that will improve the country, improve North East Somerset & Hanham and make a difference.
“And bring compassion back into politics because it’s got very divisive and not very pleasant at times.”
Norris said he has been pleased with the warm and positive response he received at doorsteps, but he reiterated that he takes nothing for granted: “I hope the voters want to choose somebody who will bring everybody working closer together to not be so divisive.
“And not always be trying to blame other groups for things that have happened. Look, everybody is having a tough time in this economic crisis. And they’re all wanting solutions to that challenge. They’re worried about paying bills.”
He added: “Things have gone badly wrong. We need to get back on track.”
Norris admitted that it is going to be a tight race but expressed his optimism at the “positive campaign energy” to bring about a Labour government and perhaps his own return to Westminster.
“I think it’s important for Dan Norris to win this seat, to reject that form of populist, xenophobic, right wing politics,” said Andy Burnham
All photos: Milan Perera
All of the candidates on the ballot paper for Bristol Central are due to take part in Bristol24/7’s hustings at the Bristol Beacon on Monday, July 1. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be livestreamed via the Bristol24/7 YouTube channel from 7pm. If you want to ask a question, please email editor@bristol247.com
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