Labour big gun David Miliband visits Cannock

Former foreign secretary David Miliband visited Cannock to boost party campaigners.

Mr Miliband, who lost out in the Labour leadership contest to his brother Ed, joined activists yesterday ahead of the May local elections.

While manning a party stall in Market Hall Street, he attacked the Government over its tax plans for charitable donations.

His visit came as a third of councillors on Cannock Chase District Council are up for election next month.

Mr Miliband said: "I'm here to support the campaign around jobs and crime – these are not getting much national coverage.

"You can't have a Labour government without having Labour MPs, and to do that you need a Labour council.

"Obviously, jobs around Cannock are a local concern.

"Cannock is really a weathervane town. As Cannock goes, so the country does too. Voters will always have local things on their minds."

Mr Miliband also attacked the Government over its plans to limit tax relief on charitable donations. "There are charities going to lose big money," he said.

Irene Reubenis, aged 81, from Hednesford, was among those chatting to David Miliband. She said: "He is a very nice man, and I was quite impressed with him."