Labour = outdoor exercise. Tories = doing nothing in your bedroom.

This exchange took place after Harriet Harman produced a list of community groups, scout branches and sports clubs from around the country at a briefing this morning.

She said their funding would be at risk if the Tories got in at this summer’s local elections – the final answer verges on the bizarre.

Hack: So all these groups would have funding under Labour? Everybody who represents these groups here (holding up the list), if they vote Labour they are going to be safe and funding is guaranteed. Is that correct?

Harman: Erm (looking down at document in front of her) it says [under the Tories] ‘these groups and groups like them would see funding put at risk’.

Hack: You’re saying this is what the Tories would do, but people – from that message that you’re putting out there – would glean that…'under Labour we’d be safe, the funding for our groups would be safe' – and that’s what you’re saying is it – that their funding would be guaranteed?

Harman: (Looking at the document again) it says [under the Tories] 'small grants awarded to local groups could be almost wiped out'. Our budget figures stand along side and in contrast to what the Tories are suggesting. It’s basically important for people that have had funding in the past that has come through Labour investment – because, you know the Tories have said we didn’t mend the roof when the sun shone – well actually we did invest in the local community…

…we would give as much support as possible to local groups, local health services and local education services and the Tories would just give help to millionaires basically.

Another hack: So what are you guaranteeing? These [groups] would also possibly be at risk under a Labour Government as well, given the economic situation.

Harman: Well I can’t add to what is in this report. If you look at what we say, (pause) look at our record, at what we’ve done and look at what the Tories’ budget figures would do compared to our budget figures (pause). So I think really, just look at all these documents and if you want further detail on the Cabinet Office stuff, you can get it from the Cabinet Office or from the Treasury…

A third hack: Is there a concern that you’re playing politics with these people? I mean (reading from a list) the Calder Canoe Centre – do they know that today the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party is saying that their funding is at risk? There’s an argument over the validity of your argument, but is there also concern that these are pretty small, little groups that may not appreciate being thrown into the middle of a very bitterly fought election campaign?

Harman: They’ve had public funding in the past and it’s like when I went to Lancashire, and went to Pendle Leisure Centre. You know, this is about young people being able to have activities in the school holidays and after school. Their parents are working and they can be doing something which is healthy and something they can enjoy and is good for them as opposed to hanging around. So – healthy physical outdoors exercise contrasted with hanging about with their friends with nothing to do or sitting in their room with nothing to do which is what they said they would be doing – that’s what the young people said to me they would be doing when they are not in the Pendle Leisure Centre.