HUNDREDS gathered in Wharf Green on Wednesday lunchtime for what was thought to be Swindon’s most well-attended political event in years.

They had come to hear from Jeremy Corbyn, who despite looking like he had a mountain to climb at the beginning of the campaign has been gaining momentum in recent days.

But the Labour leader had other plans. After a last-minute decision to take his place on the televised leader’s debate, Mr Corbyn cancelled his Swindon appearance to head back to London.

Among the crowd, estimated to be around 700 strong, the overwhelming reaction was one of mild disappointment at not hearing him speak, but firm support for his decision to take part in the debate - a decision that puts him at odds with the Prime Minister Theresa May.

First-time voters Catherine Walters and Lola Newton, both 18 and from Old Town, said that while they would have liked to hear the Labour leader speak, they understood him wanting to focus on the televised debates, especially in light of the Prime Minister’s decision to stay away.

In place of Mr Corbyn on the Swindon stage was Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner.

She told the crowd: “I’m really pleased to be here today. I’m sure you all agree that one of the most important things that Jeremy could be doing today is showing Theresa May up for the scaredy cat that she is.”

Calling Mrs May a “plastic Margaret Thatcher”, she added: “We know that this Prime Minister is for turning, but she isn’t for turning up.”

In a speech that was strong on applause lines but perhaps light on detail, Ms Rayner said: “We have eight days to convince young and old that Labour can deliver for them, and eight days to show this country that Theresa May is not strong and stable but weak and wobbly.

“We want to build a country that works for the many, not the few.”

Also on the stage were Labour’s two Swindon candidates – Sarah Church and Mark Dempsey.

Mrs Church, who is standing in her first General Election and hoping to win back South Swindon from the Conservatives, said she supported her leader’s decision to put preparation for the leader’s debate over addressing the Swindon crowd.

“A lot of people feel he should be doing the debate,” she said. “But I think also people really appreciate Angela, she’s a brilliant speaker and a wonderful delegate on his behalf.”

As the campaign now enters its final week, Mrs Church said the Labour message was being well received on the doorstep. “In the most part we’ve had a brilliant reaction. Some people are undecided and will probably leave it until the last minute. Generally we’ve been really well received. I’m very positive but we don’t know what the result will be and we’re not taking anything for granted.”

Of course the South Swindon contest is not just a two horse race. You can hear from the other three candidates, and their five North Swindon counterparts, in our election special every day this week.