Former Foreign Secretary David Miliband answered questions about child poverty, the US presidency and Islam during his visit to Bradford yesterday, then revealed he is backing Bradford City in the Capital One Cup final.

The South Shields MP, who spent his Valentine’s Day in the city, said: “I always back the underdog!”

The Bantams take on Premier League Swansea City at Wembley on Sunday, February 24. Mr Miliband, who supports Arsenal and Sunderland, was speaking after a question-and-answer session at Bradford University.

He engaged with students in the Norcroft Centre as part of his universities tour meeting with young voters.

Students quizzed him on political Islam, Hilary Clinton’s suitability as President of the USA, Al Qaeda, child poverty in the UK, obesity, students’ future careers, India, asylum seekers, George Galloway, the economy, the railways - and his favourite pizza topping, which he revealed was pepperoni.

On Labour’s future, which he believes includes victory at the next General Election, Mr Miliband said: “We got taught a very big lesson. If you neglect your community, you pay the price. If you cut yourself off, you pay the price.We have got to show that the Labour Party has learnt its lesson.”

The aim of his visit was to take Labour’s ‘One Nation’ message to the city’s students. This year’s intake of students is the first year paying up to £9,000-a-year tuition fees.

As well as his Q&A, Mr Miliband worked with the university’s student Labour group and the grassroots community organisation Movement for Change on campaigning for a Living Wage to be paid to cleaning and catering staff employed by universities.

Mr Miliband said: “Students in Bradford and across the UK are now facing the reality of Government policies that are dividing this country. A united, ‘One Nation’ Britain reboots its economy and builds a fairer society in the context of massive global change with a shift of economic power from west to east.

“I am also going on this tour to listen, to listen to the voices that will shape our country’s future and to show them that politicians need their ideas and capacity to help change our country.

“After last year’s success with the Living Wage campaign I am also looking forward to more victories with Labour Students and Movement for Change.”