LOCAL activists welcomed one of Labour's most high-profile MPs to Newent last Friday.

Michael Meacher, MP for Oldham West and Royton and a former junior environment minister, led a talk on inequality alongside Labour prospective parliamentary candidate for the Forest of Dean, Steve Parry-Hearn, with Chris Wooldridge as Chair.

He discussed at length to around 80 people at Newent Memorial Hall the current government's pursuit of 'austerity with cuts to benefits and the public sector had not worked for a large majority of the country.'

He believed major structural changes were required if Britain was to achieve a more equal, skilled and democratic society.

He said: "I am not a supporter of austerity, but I agree the deficit has to be dealt with but not in this way. Incomes are down nine per cent and we have the lowest productivity in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Household debt is over two trillion pounds and unemployment is still over two million.

"The deficit was actually reduced by (Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair) Darling before he left office, and though it was reduced by (George) Osborne it is showing signs on rising again.

"There is no investment as there is a general belief that the economy is actually not improving. With two million people on the housing list this needs investment, not from the private sector but from Government."

Mr Meacher also said there was a need to rebalance the economy with greater emphasis on manufacturing over finance.

He said: "We need to build up manufacturing and this can be done by better funding, though this may take 10 to 20 years to achieve."

Mr Parry-Hearn said he was also adamant that, if elected, he would counter any attempts to privatise forestry, although, if Labour are elected as a government, privatisation will not take place. He also spoke about young people and his desire to support the establishment of  infrastructure in industry and education so they could find good and secure employment.

The meeting then opened up to questions from the audience on a range of topics including improved rural broadband, workplace insecurity and zero hour contracts.

Mr Parry-Hearn added: "The role of a politician is not about power, it is about empowerment. You are there to represent a constituency, fighting for equality and fairness and especially to see your young people being represented."