Candidates boosted by political visits to town

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The Government's Environment Minister Owen Paterson is visting Action 21. Sydenham Estate in Leamington Spa
Pictured,Sarah WindrumTory candidate for the county council. Chris White MP,Environment Minister Owen Paterson and Louise Male (general manager atction 21 ) — MHLC 29-04-13 Paterson Apr102 The Government's Environment Minister Owen Paterson is visting Action 21. Sydenham Estate in Leamington Spa Pictured,Sarah WindrumTory candidate for the county council. Chris White MP,Environment Minister Owen Paterson and Louise Male (general manager atction 21 )

Two leading politicians showed support for their parties‘ county election campaigns when they visited Leamington last week.

Green Party leader Natalie Bennett had lunch at the Sikh Gurdwara in Tachbrook Park Drive before having a guided tour of the temple by Jonathon Chilvers, the Green Party candidate for the Brunswick division on Wednesday.

And on Monday Government Environment Minister Owen Paterson - accompanied by Sarah Windrum, the Conservative Party candidate for Leamington Willes and Warwick and Leamington MP Chris White - visited environmental charity Action 21.

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Green Party leader Natalie Bennett visiting Sikh Gurdwara Temple, Leamington to drum up support, ahead of the Thursday's local elections.
Pictured, from the left,Janet Alty,Natalie Bennett (Green Party leader) and Jonathan Chilvers ( Green party candidate in Leamington Brunswick ) . — MHLC 01-05-13 Bennett May9 Green Party leader Natalie Bennett visiting Sikh Gurdwara Temple, Leamington to drum up support, ahead of the Thursday's local elections. Pictured, from the left,Janet Alty,Natalie Bennett (Green Party leader) and Jonathan Chilvers ( Green party candidate in Leamington Brunswick ) .

Speaking on Question Time recently, Ms Bennett said: “After 13 years of a Labour Government, we had a minimum wage that was significantly below a living wage. Under the Labour Government wages were driven down. That’s simply not good enough.

“We need to rebuild our economy with jobs you can build a life on.”

Mr Paterson visited Action 21’s Re-Useful Centre on Ramsey Road, Sydenham.

During his visit, he learnt about the Skill Share programme, including the popular sewing workshops, as well as meeting the crucial volunteers that keep the centre running.

Ms Windrum said: “I love the swap shops Action 21 run every few months and I’m so impressed with the fantastic condition of the bikes that I will certainly be coming here for my daughter’s first one in a few months.”

Mr Paterson was hugely impressed at the amount and variety of work that is done at the centre and the amount of waste that is kept from landfill as a result of its staffs’ efforts.