THE Swindon Labour Group have officially kicked off their 2018 election campaign.

Councillors and activists packed into the Beehive pub on Prospect Hill today to launch what they described as a “bold” and “much-needed” manifesto.

Tom Watson, deputy leader of the national party, who used to live at the bottom of Kingshill, returned to his former haunt to lend his support to the campaign.

After describing the Beehive as the place in which he “spent many nights planning the socialist alternative”, he said of the manifesto: “This is a fantastic document, one of the best I’ve seen.”

He added: “A lot of people have been involved in putting this campaign together and I think we will see some real successes this year.”

He described the manifesto as “well organised and focused” and urged fellow party members to do all they could to unseat the Conservatives and take control of the council on May 3.

The manifesto lays out Labour’s plans for Swindon for 2018 and beyond. Flagship policies include reopening children’s Sure Start centres, “targeting public sector spending in the local economy” in a bid to boost jobs, building double the numbers of council houses currently being built and delivering more university education for Swindon.

In his foreword to the manifesto, Jim Grant, leader of the Labour Group, writes: “Swindon needs change and only a Swindon Labour council will have the vision and ability to achieve this.”

Speaking to the Adver today, he said: “We want to make sure there are enough council houses to solve the housing crisis and we will reinstate children’s centres as child neglect has gone up by 75 per cent.

“We will also give a guarantee that Lydiard Park will remain under public ownership.”

Speaking about Tom Watson’s visit, Coun Grant said: “It is very encouraging to know that the national party is fully behind us.”

Asked about Labour’s chances in May, he said: “I am very optimistic that we will make gains and hopefully take control of the council.”