by Jessica Fleig

gravesendmessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk

Labour leader Ed Miliband was in Gravesend today - for the third time in three weeks.

As election results showed a victory for Labour in Gravesham, Mr Miliband greeted local members of the Labour Party and people in the town centre.

Strolling casually up New Street, Mr Miliband talked to surprised shoppers, who congratulated him on his accomplishments.

He said: "Labour is a party of the south as well as the north and I'm very pleased that the people of Gravesham have put their trust in Labour and we will repay that trust by standing up for them as we promise to do in being their voice in tough times.

"I think that we ran a campaign going out on the doorstep, talking to people, re-connecting politicians with the people.

"But also we were saying to people look we need a change in direction in this country and if you agree with us please come out and vote with us and they did."

On the Conservatives doing well elsewhere, he said: "I know we've got more to do to win back people's trust, I don't take anything for granted.

"This is a long journey back for us, the journey has started with results like those here in Gravesham and now we're going to prove to people that we are the right people to be running councils not just in Gravesham but across Kent."

Walking alongside him was the new leader of Gravesham council, Councillor John Burden, who will replace Councillor Mike Snelling, after Labour won 25 seats over the Conservatives’ 19.

Cllr Burden said: "Ed Miliband’s visits to Gravesend have definitely played a major role in Labour’s win."

Mr Miliband showed he has a good memory when he recognised trainee reporter Jessica Fleig.

Jessica, who is a journalism student at the University of Kent and on work experience with the KM Group, helped cover Mr Miliband’s visit to Gravesend last week.

When he spotted her taking pictures in the crowd, he said: "Oh, hi again."

He happily posed for pictures with people in the town, including Jessica (pictured right).

Jessica said: "It was a great opportunity. I thought he was very friendly and made an effort to talk to people, which is important for a politician."

Mr Miliband admitted in April that his party had a mountain to climb to recover its position as a political force in Kent.

In Dartford, the Tories held control.

Did you speak to Mr Miliband? What did he say to you? Leave your comments below.