Labour leader Ed Miliband visited Battersea Arts Centre last night to make pledges to the arts and culture.

Wandsworth Times:

Gathering support: Mr Miliband took part in a "canvass marathon" over the phone 

He said his party would put the arts at the heart of government and ensure all children have access to creative education.

In a speech to the Creative Industries Federation he set out a programme to strengthen creative education and said: “Arts is an area where Britain still leads the world.

“And every day we see all around us evidence of the brilliance of British theatre, design, fashion, architecture, video games and every other branch of arts and culture.

“Over 40 per cent of 16 year olds from low-income families who engage in the arts and culture score above average in their school tests – and those who take part in the arts and culture are more likely to get a degree.

“It is for all these reasons that I am committed to opening up access to the arts and culture because it can’t be right that all of these advantages are the privilege of a few, rather than the right of the many.”

Wandsworth Times:

Meet and greet: Mr Martindale with deputy leader Harriet Harman 

Labour's prospective Parliamentary candidate for Battersea Will Martindale said: "As a musician and lover of classical music I believe arts are so important to our society. Therefore I was delighted that Ed Miliband chose Battersea Arts Centre to launch Labour’s arts policies for the General Election. This enabled the centre, of which I am a supporter of, to showcase to the great and the good of the arts world what a great venue it is and the work they do - especially with nurturing the talents of young people.

Wandsworth Times:

"I was also pleased Ed was able to join us afterwards at our campaign telephone canvassing session. We have been working hard to speak with and listen to thousands of voters across Battersea about their concerns with childcare costs, A&E waiting times, and housing, and I welcome Ed giving us his personal support for our efforts."