James Purnell MP, Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, met voters and supporters in Soho tonight, and urged people to vote in Thursday's European elections.

With two days before the poll, the Minister went out with LGBT Labour supporters on Old Compton Street, after a rally at the Village Bar.

James Purnell MP - who has voted consistently for LGBT Rights - said:

"In the UK, we have fought for - and won - equality for lesbians and gay men on a whole range of rights from civil partnerships to protection from discrimination, adoption rights and fertility treatment.

"But not all politicians share Labour's belief in equality - and so I urge LGBT voters to go to their polling stations and vote for equality on Thursday. We need to stop the BNP getting their first MEP, and we should be wary of David Cameron's plans to send his MEPs into an alliance with far-right parties who oppose gay rights."

The Work and Pensions Secretary formally launched the LGBT Labour Election Broadcast that is being shown on Pinknews.co.uk, PinkPaper.com and LGBTLabour.org.uk in the run up the Euro Elections on Thursday.