Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer faced a grilling from the readers of a regional daily yesterday as he took part in a special Q&A session.

Express & Star readers were given the chance to quiz Sir Keir on subjects including pensions, the cost of living and the situation in the Middle East during a visit to the newspaper’s offices.

The Labour leader took part in an hour-long question-and-answer session at the newspaper’s head office in Wolverhampton, before touring the editorial department and meeting members of the digital team.

A panel of 30 Express & Star readers of all ages and from a variety of backgrounds were invited in to put Sir Keir on the spot during the visit.

Sir Keir Starmer visits the Express & Star head office for a Q&A session with readers. Picture: Express & Star.

The title has hosted visits in previous years from every recent prime minister, as well as many opposition leaders.

Covering the West Midlands, the catchment area of the Express & Star includes a number of key so-called ‘red wall’ seats that Labour will need to claw back from the Conservatives if it is to win the next general election.

E&S Editor Martin Wright said: “We were pleased to welcome Sir Keir and give readers the chance to speak to him. They were able to ask anything they wanted and a large range of subjects were covered.

“The visit has provided us with extensive material and video for both online and in print that will hopefully help our readers understand a little more about what he and the Labour Party stand for.

“We look forward to being able to offer the same opportunity to all political parties in the run up to the general election.”