SWINDON Labour candidates were not to blame for their failure to regain both critical seats, MP Tom Watson said at the Labour deputy leadership hustings this weekend.

Speaking exclusively to the Adver, Tom said: “The work that Anne Snelgrove and Mark Dempsey did was admirable.

"Unfortunately they had to fight against a wave of something in London that they had no control over. Now the Labour party can get back to having an identity again.

“There was this massive expansion in the party and the election results weren’t down to the candidates who put in a huge amount of incredible work in the run-up to the election.

“We can recover from this, we can be stronger, we need to re-engage with the communities in a way we forgot. We need to appeal to people’s aspirations once more."

The hustings marked a welcome return to the town for the West Bromwich East MP since his brief 1980s tenure in Kingshill Road.

Tom said the town was full of potential and could be a hub to rebuild the economy.

“It’s good to be back in Swindon in the Steam Museum. Even in the last few years Swindon has really expanded and grown exponentially.

"It’s contributing to the economy and standing out in the south. I’m pleased to be speaking at a hustings event here."

In a more vitriolic display than their leadership counterparts hopefuls Caroline Flint, Angela Eagle, Stella Creasy, Ben Bradshaw and Tom Watson entertained crowds gathered at the Steam museum on Firefly Avenue.

Electoral reform, personality traits and immigration came to the forefront of the hour-long Q&A, moderated by Buzzfeed deputy editor Jim Waterson.

Following Labour’s crushing May 7 defeat all five deputy hopefuls promised to rein in egos, boost popularity for the party and closely collaborate with their new leader.

With a battle-cry MP for Exeter said the future of the country lies in improved relations between leader and deputy – something he promised to deliver.

Equal opportunities, regardless of background, gender or race, was also running theme throughout the one-hour session. Stella Creasy, MP for Walthamstow drew cheers from the crowd when she highlighted that there was no need for social divisions in modern Britain.

Carol Heavens from Frobisher Grove said Ben Bradshaw had secured her vote.

“Ben Bradshaw said he can connect with anybody and get on with anybody and I believe him. He seems like he would be firm with a leader and tell them if they were doing something wrong.”

“Angela Eagle is brilliant and feisty and she looks like she wouldn’t put up with any rubbish from David Cameron”

Husband-and-wife team Sue and David Burgess, from Cirencester, also agreed Mr Bradshaw had the tenacity to tackle Number 10.

Sue said: “Ben Bradshaw presented the best, he had a lot of enthusiasm and passion and he seemed like he would fit well with any of the four leadership candidates.”

The award for the best question of the day came when one plucky supporter asked what personality trait of the candidates could be used against them in the run-up to the August election.

With Tom Watson citing perfectionism and Caroline Flint using her strength of character, Wallasey MP Angela Eagle left supporters laughing in their seats when she referenced the infamous “Calm down dear” parliament incident, and said “David Cameron will never silence me”.