Labour leadership contender David Miliband was grilled by one of Leeds Trinity’s trainee journalists on the campaign trail this week when he visited campus to speak with party members.

Mr Miliband held a question and answer session with Labour supporters from the Pudsey branch of the party in Leeds Trinity University College’s Conference Suite before being quizzed by Danny Wright, who is on the BA (Honours) Journalism course at Trinity.

Danny, 20, is about to enter the final year and he spoke exclusively with the Shadow Foreign Secretary about a range of topics, including university places and funding, the coalition Government’s spending cuts and his vision for the party.

The interview saw Mr Miliband attack the Government’s spending plans, as well indicating he would introduce a graduate tax on university leavers as a means of “progressive” funding of education.

The visit was a homecoming for Mr Miliband, who grew up in Horsforth while he was educated at near-by Benton Park School, Rawdon.

Danny said being at Leeds Trinity allowed him to pick up practical skills he could use.

He said: “I was delighted to get the chance to interview David Miliband. I really enjoyed the experience and am grateful to have the chance to speak with the political big-hitters during my time here.

“The environment is supportive and you are given real work-place skills which helped me conduct the interview today. This will help my prospects of finding a job massively when I graduate. The staff here are excellent and give you confidence of doing the job in the real world.”

Mr Miliband said he was impressed by the “fantastic” facilities at Leeds Trinity, including the new All Saints Court, where he and Danny posed for photos.

The leader-elect, who is favourite to win the race ahead of brother Ed Miliband, Diane Abbot, Ed Balls and Andy Burnham, said he wanted to open up university education for all.

Mr Miliband said: “Social mobility depends on aspiration. It depends on opportunity, which is why I think it’s bad to be cutting back on university places.”

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