'It's good news!' Praise - and forgiveness - in Reeves's Yorkshire seat
The Guardian|October 31, 2024

In a vape shop in Bramley town centre, the popular flavours can sell out quickly. The area is a smoking and vaping hotspot - high above the national average - and it is in Rachel Reeves's constituency of Leeds West and Pudsey.

Robyn Vinter
'It's good news!' Praise - and forgiveness - in Reeves's Yorkshire seat

"Have you got any blueberry, love?" one customer asked, telling the Guardian that she had been smoking since the age of 11 and was much happier vaping instead. She was not pleased to hear the price of vapes would be going up 2% above the retail prices index, but said: "It's still cheaper than cigs."

The cashier said the shop was especially busy with older people who had quit smoking due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD. As well as having high rates of the lung condition, Bramley has above average levels of heart disease, obesity and mental health problems.

An old industrial part of Leeds previously dominated by mills and factories, the ward is one of the more deprived in the city and in desperate need of the chancellor's promise to "invest, invest, invest".

Outside Greggs was Steve Cook, who is retired but works part-time driving the "Happy Cab" for the charity Bramley Elderly Action, ferrying older people around for days out and shopping trips.

"They go in happy and come home ecstatic," he said.

Having previously loved Reeves, who got 49% of the vote in this historically Labour area, Cook said it had been "knives out" among his friends when the winter fuel payment was cut.

Denne historien er fra October 31, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra October 31, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE GUARDIANSe alt
Amorim rewarded for keeping faith with his eternal optimist
The Guardian

Amorim rewarded for keeping faith with his eternal optimist

This was a thrilling, bruising game, and even a very funny one at times.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 06, 2025
Amorim's winter warmer
The Guardian

Amorim's winter warmer

United manager hails side's mentality in thrilling draw

time-read
3 mins  |
January 06, 2025
Referee 'not at Premier League level', says Silva
The Guardian

Referee 'not at Premier League level', says Silva

A frustrated Marco Silva, the Fulham manager, described the performance of Darren Bond, the referee, as \"not at Premier League level\" after he opted not to dismiss the Ipswich defender Leif Davis during the sides' 2-2 draw.

time-read
1 min  |
January 06, 2025
Diallo grabs vital point as United step up at Anfield
The Guardian

Diallo grabs vital point as United step up at Anfield

An evening of some redemption for Manchester United was not without its customary slice of Anfield agony. Thirty seconds remained of a gripping battle when Joshua Zirkzee spurned the chance of hero status among fans who jeered him six days earlier to present Harry Maguire with a clear sight of Alisson's goal.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 06, 2025
Fulham toil against strugglers again as Jiménez rescues point
The Guardian

Fulham toil against strugglers again as Jiménez rescues point

Imagine where Fulham would be if they could see off the strugglers. They averted a rare defeat when Raúl Jiménez converted his second penalty of the afternoon at the start of added time but never did enough to overcome a well-drilled Ipswich.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 06, 2025
Isidor proves worth to keep nervy Black Cats in the leading pack
The Guardian

Isidor proves worth to keep nervy Black Cats in the leading pack

Before kick-off Portsmouth's manager, John Mousinho, suggested all the pressure would be on Sunderland, leaving his players free to relax, improvise and unlock their inner creativity.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 06, 2025
Australia make hay in Bumrah's absence to clinch series win
The Guardian

Australia make hay in Bumrah's absence to clinch series win

Boland skittles India to set up World Test Championship final against South Africa

time-read
3 mins  |
January 06, 2025
Gauff turns tables on Swiatek before Fritz seals trophy for US
The Guardian

Gauff turns tables on Swiatek before Fritz seals trophy for US

Americans defeat Poland to secure United Cup glory as Sabalenka wins Brisbane title

time-read
3 mins  |
January 06, 2025
Rybakina speaks out in defence of suspended coach Vukov
The Guardian

Rybakina speaks out in defence of suspended coach Vukov

Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has insisted that her former coach Stefano Vukov did not mistreat her during their coaching partnership after it was revealed that Vukov is under investigation by the Women's Tennis Association.

time-read
1 min  |
January 06, 2025
Rangers drop points on road again despite Igamane treble
The Guardian

Rangers drop points on road again despite Igamane treble

Hamza Igamane's hat-trick was not enough to secure victory for Rangers as Rocky Bushiri's late header earned a dramatic 3-3 draw for in-form Hibernian at Easter Road.

time-read
1 min  |
January 06, 2025