CITY residents were snapping up pictures and selfies with the leader of the Labour Party during his Worcester visit.

Sir Keir Starmer visited the University of Worcester and Worcester City Football Club today (Wednesday) as part of his election campaign.

At the University of Worcester, he did a Q&A with the city's healthcare students, while at the city's football club, shadow health secretary West Streeting gave a speech.

Sir Keir posed for pictures with a baby born on the 75th anniversary of the NHS during the visit.

The baby, Soren, was given the middle name Aneurin, after former Labour health secretary and founder of the NHS Aneurin Bevan.

Students at the city's university asked him a range of questions about the healthcare sector, funding, education and the need to help international students. 

Labour’s rally in Worcester heard from student midwife Rachel King and RAF veteran Stephen Tyrrell.

Ms King, a student at the University of Worcester, said she had been “impressed” by Sir Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting’s “passion for the NHS”, adding she felt “really, really confident and happy and really, really excited about change”.

Mr Tyrrell, who introduced Sir Keir, said he had been waiting for an operation since 2020, adding: “I believe that change is the only way that veterans like myself are going to get the proper treatment that we deserve.”

He also faced questions about Diane Abbott while on the visit.

Responding to questions about media reports that the veteran MP had been barred from standing as a candidate again, the Labour leader told broadcasters: “I’ve seen various reports, I can only tell you what the factual situation is – as you know, the whip has been restored to Diane Abbott and no decision’s been taken barring her from standing. That’s the factual position and I’ve been happy to say that when asked to do so.”

When asked whether anonymous briefings to journalists had “overshadowed” his campaign, he said: “Obviously, my whole focus is on the election campaign and we’re very happy to be out campaigning here today, talking about what we’re going to do in relation to the NHS to drive down those waiting lists.”

When asked whether he would like to see her stand again, Sir Keir said: “She’s got the whip back and no decision’s been taken to bar her.”