Blackpool counts down to Labour conference

Final preparations are underway ahead of the North West Labour Party conference returning to Blackpool this weekend.

More than 500 delegates, including a raft of the UK’s most influential politicians including Labour party leader, Ed Miliband and deputy leader, Harriet Harman, will attend along with fellow front-benchers Yvette Cooper, Andy Burnham and Ivan Lewis.

Cllr Graham Cain, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for tourism and leisure, said he was delighted to welcome the party back to the resort. He said: “This is the fourth year in a row the North West Labour Party conference has come back to Blackpool. We’re very pleased to be welcoming the delegates back to the resort.

Business tourism in Blackpool represents an average of £44m in economic benefit to businesses in the resort each year. A spokesperson for Labour North West said: “We always receive a warm welcome in Blackpool. We are delighted to be returning this year for what is an important conference ahead of the general election next year. As well as policy debate, training and speeches, we will be taking our campaign for the future of the NHS to the streets of Blackpool.”