A SENIOR Labour politician will speak at a conference for business people in the Colne Valley.

Shadow business secretary John Denham is the chief guest at the half-day event at 1.15pm on Wednesday, March 2, at Marsden Mechanics Hall.

He will be joined on the podium by Kirklees Council leader Clr Mehboob Khan and Alex Mullen, of the Federation of Small Businesses.

Organiser Dr Paul Salveson said: “The afternoon is an opportunity for the local business community to share views.”

Topics include ways to make local manufacturing more sustainable; developing education, skills and training; building up local co-operatives, how businesses can work with the community and how Kirklees Council can support business development.

Dr Salveson said: “We want to listen to a range of views and feed in what local business people think Labour should be doing.”

The event is free, but pre-booking is essential. Contact Dr Paul Salveson on 07795 008691. Email colnevalleylabour@live.co.uk