Former Labour leader Lord Neil Kinnock returned to Acton, his former home, to support Rupa Huq's re-election campaign for the Labour Party.

The campaign kicked off on Saturday, 1 June, at Ruskin Hall, where over 100 party activists and local residents gathered.

Lord Kinnock, who moved from Ealing to north London to be closer to his grandchildren, said it was great to be back.

His speech, described as "stunning" and "impassioned" by attendees, covered themes of community, generation gap and the difference he says the Labour Party has made.

Ealing Councillor, Grace Quansah, said it was "an absolute privilege to hear Lord Kinnock", while Ealing Central & Acton candidate, Rupa Huq, called it "a tour de force".

Other speakers at the event were TV presenter Konnie Huq, the outgoing MP for Southall Virendra Sharma and former Conservative MP for Bolton North East Mark Logan.

Labour Party activists outside Ruskin Hall on Saturday, 1 May (credit: Labour Party).

Konnie Huq praised her sister Rupa's dedication to Ealing, reminiscing on her early involvement in broadcasting and admiration for Kinnock. 

Rupa Huq, in turn, credited Kinnock with revitalising the Labour Party and spoke of his influence on her political journey.

"Neil Kinnock saved the Labour party from the brink of extinction, and when I was a spotty teenager, only interested in pop music, got me into politics by doing an interview that made the cover of the NME (pop mag)", she said.

In his first public speech as a Labour figure, Mark Logan cited the kindness of Labour colleagues like Rupa Huq as a factor in defecting from the Conservative Party.

After taking photos, some of the crowd went out canvassing, including Cllr Quansah, ex-mayor Cllr Hitesh Tailor, ex-leader of Ealing Brough, Julian Bell and Mark Logan.

Rupa Huq is running for the Ealing Central & Acton Parliamentary seat against six other candidates after Rishi Sunak announced a general election for 4 July.

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