Shadow minister brings energy campaign to town

Party vice-chairman Michael Dugher MP and parliamentary candidate Paula Sherriff gathered signatures in Dewsbury last Saturday for a petition to be presented to the government.

It was part of a weekend of campaigning by the party to secure immediate legislation to freeze energy prices.

Mr Dugher, who represents Barnsley East, is Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office and vice-chairman of the party.

He said: “People in Dewsbury and across Yorkshire are struggling with the rising cost of living. That is why Labour is calling for a freeze on gas and electricity bills now to help people with the cost of living crisis.”

The party has said that if it wins the next general election, it will freeze gas and electricity bills until 2017 and break up the big energy companies.

Miss Sherriff, who was recently selected as its candidate for Dewsbury and Mirfield, said: “It’s great to welcome Michael Dugher – such an experienced Labour campaigner – to Dewsbury to highlight Labour’s promise to freeze energy bills until 2017.

“With the so-called ‘Big 6’ energy giants hitting hard-pressed people with yet more extortionate energy price hikes, we need action now.”