October 27, 1951

MR Anthony Eden commenced his election tour of the Midlands on Monday by speaking at Redditch to an audience of some 500 from the bandstand on Church Green.

The deputy leader of the Conservative Party was introduced by Mr Michael Higgs and after acknowledging the cheers given for him, Mr Eden said that in his tour of the country he had never known Conservative supporters in better heart than they were today.

It was a good augury and they were determined to do everything that lay in their power to score victory this time.

As he left, Mr Eden was surrounded by a crowd of well-wishers and several autograph hunters were successful in obtaining his signature.