Actor Tony Robinson joins the Labour campaign trail in Bristol

-Credit: (Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
-Credit: (Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)


Thangam Debbonaire's campaign to regain her Bristol seat and fend off the strong challenge from Green Party Co-leader Carla Denyer received a boost this week. Blackadder actor and Time Team presenter Tony Robinson paid a visit to Cotham Gardens yesterday (Tuesday) to speak directly to Labour supporters.

Ms Debbonaire, confirmed earlier this week by Labour Leader Keir Starmer as the prospective Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, should Labour win the election, is fighting to maintain her Bristol Central seat - previously the Bristol West constituency. With one YouGov poll finding that Ms Denyer had a 13 per cent lead over the incumbent MP.

One key issue driving constituents of Bristol Central towards the Green Party is thought to be Keir Starmer's refusal to commit to stopping arms sales to Israel. In contrast, the Green Party has called for an end to all arms sales to Israel, prosecution of war criminals, and targeted sanctions on Israel's leaders.

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Ms Debbonaire told Bristol Live that constituents had been responding "really positively" to her on the doorstep. She also emphasized that "people have been responding positively to [her] as their MP for the last nine years".

When asked whether Labour's stance on Gaza might turn voters to the Green Party, she said: "What I have said to people who brought it up and it isn't everybody, in fact, it's not most people but to those who do, I am very happy to confirm to them that only Labour's motion called for a ceasefire, the return of hostages, the delivery of aid, and a return to the peace process. Only Labour's motion passed months ago."

She added that she felt neither Netanyahu nor Hamas were taking any notice of parliamentary motions. When Mr Robinson was asked what he would say to potential Labour voters in Bristol Central who are considering switching to the Greens, he said, "You're wasting your time. If you vote Green, it may make you feel better inside you heart, but it's not going to have any impact whatsoever."

He added that every person he knows in the Labour Party had green aspirations. Watch the full interviews below.