Lincoln women meet Labour’s pink campaign bus

Labour’s controversial bright pink minibus visited Lincoln as part of the party’s national efforts to reach out to more women ahead of the General Election on May 7.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Shadow International Development Secretary Mary Creagh joined Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Lincoln, Lucy Rigby, to speak to female constituents face-to-face.

Topics ranged from violence against women, childcare costs, energy bills, and the impact of the Budget.

One of those who attended was Amelia Bailey, founder of The Cancer Fighters, who are a group of women who have either had cancer themselves or have had a relative diagnosed with cancer.

She said: “We were delighted to be invited to meet the Shadow Ministers and Lucy Rigby. They were both really supportive of the work we are doing and recognise the importance of cancer treatment and cancer awareness across the nation.

“They complimented us on our achievements so far and we were thrilled to have them listen so empathetically and to be able to give the people of Lincoln a voice on such an important issue.”

The Cancer Fighters in their pink campaign t-shirts, with Yvette Cooper, Mary Creagh and Lucy Rigby

Yvette Cooper said: “We know that there are a lot of women who didn’t vote in the last election and their voices should be heard in politics.

“George Osborne says that the sun is shining and that we’re all better off. None of the women I have spoken to today thought that – they believe that they’re worse off than they were five years ago.

“Women have been hit four times harder by the decisions Osborne has taken since 2010. I think that’s incredibly unfair and a reason alone to ensure that women make sure that they vote and get involved in the election.”

Mary Creagh said: “There are over 600,000 women in Lincolnshire who didn’t vote in 2010. There have only been 18 general elections where women have been able to vote so it’s vital that their voices are heard.

“A lot of women don’t think that politics affects them but if their children are being taught in overcrowded classrooms, if they have young people who can’t get an apprenticeship or are worried about tuition fees, then they’re faced with political choices.

“Women love the pink bus and the campaign is about reaching the parts of the country that normal politics doesn’t reach and speaking and listening to women who are passionate and want to see change.”

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lucy Rigby said: “Women will decide the future of this country in May and my message to women in Lincoln is to make sure that you’re registered to vote and make your voice heard.

“People are interested in our woman to woman campaign in a way that they wouldn’t have been without the pink bus.

“It’s a talking point and it allows us to speak to women about issues that affect their everyday lives who may not be that interested in politics.”