Chancellor John Healey joined Young Labour activists campaigning for John Roberts ahead of Thursday’s Penistone East by-election, as Labour stepped up its activity in the South Yorkshire seat.
Healey joined Roberts and campaigners in Silkstone on Saturday, meeting residents and supporting the final push before voters go to the polls.
Sharing photographs from the visit on X, Healey said:
“Proud to be out campaigning with #YoungLabour for John Roberts, our great local candidate in Penistone East’s by-election on Thursday. A big ‘thank you’ to all the Silkstone residents who gave their time to talk with us today.”
Labour has intensified its campaigning in the final days before polling, with Roberts making the case that local services must be protected and that residents deserve a strong voice in Westminster.
Roberts has highlighted concerns raised on the doorstep, including opposition to cuts affecting bus services on routes 28 and 28A and measures that would leave pensioners worse off — issues that have featured prominently in local campaign literature.
Young Labour activists have been out in force across the constituency, knocking on doors and speaking with voters about the choice facing Penistone East.
Healey’s visit is seen as a significant boost for Roberts in the closing stages of the campaign, bringing a senior government figure to the constituency as Labour seeks to hold the seat.
Healey has represented communities across South Yorkshire for more than two decades, serving as MP for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough before his election to the Penistone and Stocksbridge constituency at the 2024 general election.
With polling day on Thursday, both Labour and its opponents are making a final push to reach undecided voters before the by-election verdict.
