ED Miliband, leader of the Labour party, has lent his support to Labour’s candidate for Wythenshawe and Sale East (WSE) by-election.


Mr Miliband joined Mike Kane for a Q and A session with more than 300 members of the public at Wythenshawe Forum shopping centre on January 31.


Before taking questions, Mr Miliband and Mr Kane both paid tribute to Paul Goggins, who was the MP for WSE for 16 years before dying suddenly last month.


Mr Kane said: “Paul was one of the most decent, principled, kindest, most passionate people that our movement had and we shall miss him every day.”


Mr Miliband said: “He was an excellent public servant, he was our friend and I for one am going to miss him very strongly.”


The Labour leader said that a government led by him would repeal the bedroom tax, extend free childcare and defend the NHS.


Mr Kane said: “I'm delighted Ed Miliband was able to meet local people and pledge his support for my campaign to get a fair deal for Wythenshawe A&E.


“People across Wythenshawe and Sale demonstrated their concerns about the cost of living, the NHS and the bedroom tax.“


Mr Miliband described Mr Kane as an ‘inspirational’ candidate.


“People in the constituency said to me that Mike was right to ask questions about the future of their local A&E, what can be done about energy bills that only go up and childcare costs that are spiralling.


“A Labour Government is what this country needs.”


• The Wythenshawe and Sale East by-election will take place on February 13.