I keep dipping in and out of the election campaign as it passes through the North in various formats.
After the saturday with the PM I attended a factory visit just outside Huddersfield for Ed Miliband’s first official election campaign visit.
Made a nice page for The Sun.
Then it’s over to Bury as Ed Miliband speaks with party faithful, accompanied by the party’s local candidate for Bury North, James Frith.
Inside for a bit of a rostrum set-up.
And straight back out again for the now obligatory selfies…this one including the now infamous selfie stick.
Later that day and it’s over to MediaCity for the debate. No photographers, bar ITV, are allowed into the hall so everyone settles for arrivals. It doesn’t make much, but did get a nice frame of Sam & Dave which normally does well.
Nipped across to Blackpool and Morecambe the next day.
Much as everyone wanted the picture of Ed with the Eric Morecambe statue, this is as close as we got. It’s annoying how reluctant they are to take a chance with photo-ops, but I guess the fear of being ‘caught out’ in some way is so intense that we just get spoon-fed very boring set-ups.
I’m pushing to try and get them to make a pot of tea together or at least get some ‘doing’ into this picture. Ed’s main press man quickly quashes that one. We get a laugh, but it’s still awkward.
There’s a nice set-up of the family going for a tram-ride. Unfortunately, as always, it’s reserved for the big agencies so i have to settle for a frame from across the road as the tram pulls up. Not ideal.
Next it’s the manifesto launch. As ever, i’ve got to try and get something different and I managed to wangle a spot on the staircase for a long entrance shot with a triggered flash. Not bad, not great.
The hall’s busy, say that for Labour. The Tory events are much thinner and probably indicate the party’s shrinking grassroots.
Bit of face-pulling. Sorry, Ed.
And the main shot, the man and his Manifesto.