Labour leader Ed Miliband visits flood-hit Purley in Berkshire and is challenged by local MP Alok Sharma over the reasons behind his visit.

Labour leader Ed Miliband was confronted by local politician Alok Sharma as he visited the flood hit town of Purley in Berkshire.


Mr Sharma questioned Mr Miliband's reasons for visiting the community asking, "the issue Mr Miliband is why are you actually here?

"Because what I'm hearing from local residents is they're not actually interested in people just coming for a photo opportunity, when they don't know what's going on"
Mr Miliband responded saying "my suggestion today is that we work together, because this is not about politics today, this is about working together for the people of your constituency."

Last night more than 70 people were evacuated from their homes in the Thames Valley - tipping the total number evacuated due to flooding over the 1,000 mark since the end of January.

Hundreds of military personnel have been drafted in to help in the worst-affected areas of south west England and the Home Counties, as politicians and agencies get embroiled in a war of words prompted by residents' anger at a perceived lack of action.

Around 400 weather warnings remain in place across England, with forecasters predicting further heavy rainfall on already-saturated ground.

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