ED MILIBAND said that 'Stroud is a wonderful place' following a recent visit. 

The former Labour Party leader, and current shadow secretary of state for climate change, was left deeply impressed by Stroud and its people during a recent visit.

“Stroud is a wonderful place,” said Mr Miliband. 

“I’m already looking forward to coming back in the autumn.

“The UK has the potential to be a clean energy superpower and Stroud is well placed to lead this revolution."

Miliband was visiting Stroud to support Dr Simon Opher, the Labour Party candidate for the parliamentary constituency, and to explain Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan.

The plan promises clean affordable energy for all and will ensure that all power is from 100 per cent sustainable sources by 2030, produced by solar and wind.

Dr Opher said: “There will be investment from day one of a Labour government, and £28 billion/year by year three.

"This means hundreds of new well paid jobs locally.

"Stroud is rightly viewed as a national leader in sustainable energy.

"We can look forward to a green and prosperous future, while we also do our bit to halt the horrors of climate change.

“A recent study of the Stroud constituency has shown that to become totally self sufficient in power for both home and business use, we need to build 34 wind turbines.

"Obviously we don’t have to be self-sufficient, as we are connected to the grid, but this shows that these targets for the nation are achievable - but we need a quick and radical change in policy.

"Under new proposals, Stroud could also benefit from local sustainable energy schemes owned and run by local people."

While he was in Stroud, Miliband also spent time talking to residents on Lower Street, before drinking coffee at Woodruffs and chatting to staff at The Stroud Bookshop.