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Not Your Average MP

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Big Names who Fell - Lembic Opic and Evan Harris
The big names who fell for the Liberal Democrats included Dr Evan Harris. It was a shock to many of us because he had a 7,500 majority 5 years ago…
Evan Concedes Defeat
This time he lost by a very narrow margin to Nicola Blackwood. She has run a very good campaign.

It is interesting how this result is being reported beyond Abingdon, and the significance being placed on the result by some interest groups…

In Christian Concern For Our Nation … Christian concerns over Dr Harris’ extreme position on many ethical matters have undoubtedly played an important part in the result. Many local Christians and churches have engaged with the election process in a way not seen before.
Rev Lynda Rose's leaflet
In particular, constituency resident and ordained Anglican minister, Rev Lynda Rose, has worked tirelessly and boldly to draw voters’ attention to the reality of Dr Harris’ anti-life and secularising agenda.

It seems that for many, these critical issues, which include matters of life and death, have outweighed party considerations….

The Guardian Blog says … And Evan Harris, the very maverick but engaging Lib Dem MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, got ousted too – too many enemies.

The Times under the headline Election 2010 : a terrible night for Science…

The most damaging result came in Oxford West & Abingdon, where Evan Harris, the Liberal Democrat science spokesman, lost to the Tories by just 176 votes, after a recount. His departure will be keenly felt, for no MP has done more to speak up for science and to campaign for its interests over the past 13 years.

Evan Harris has been front and centre on almost any scientific issue you care to name. He played a pivotal role in ensuring that the recent Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act was amended so as not to constrain science or medicine. He has led the campaign for reform of the libel laws, in light of cases such as Simon Singh’s. He speaks up for the researchers who conduct animal experiments, and was a brave defender of Oxford University’s new animal research facility (which was in his constituency under old boundaries).

Dr Death Leaflet
Another enemy was the The Animal Protection Party with their infamous Dr Death Leaflet – because of his support for that animal research facility. The name had been dreamed up by a Daily Mail blogger a couple of years ago.

The National Secular Society website said…

Valued Honorary Associate and former Secularist of the Year, Dr Evan Harris, has lost his parliamentary seat in the General Election. Dr Harris was beaten by 176 votes by the Tory candidate.

Keith Porteous Wood, Executive Director of the NSS, who has worked closely on many campaigns with Evan, said: “Evan Harris has been a tireless worker for secularism and many other progressive causes…

A Cup of Tea

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You have visitors staying with you from abroad.

Where do you take them for a quintessentially English experience?

From Monday it is going to get easier, as Rosie’s Tea Room are opening in West St Helen Street, where Frugal Food used to be.

But even though Rosie’s are not open yet, there is still no better way to start the day off, particularly when it is Saint George’s Day, than with a cup of tea.

Main Street Singers in Abingdon

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The Main Street Singers, who come from near San Francisco in California, were here in Abingdon performing at St Helens Church. They are on a tour of Ireland and the UK.

On this concert tour, they have not only been singing – their real passion, but they have also been able to visit the spectacular Irish countryside, and see some important places in historical Britain. They were in Bath last night, visited Stone Henge this morning and performed in England’s Oldest Town, Abingdon, this evening. In London they have a couple of days break before their final performance.

Then comes the return flight to the USA – volcano ash permitting.

That volcano did scupper one Abingdon event I hoped to cover. The Abingdon Herald was also going to send a photographer…

Visitors from Hiroshima were to bring seeds from the peace tree – which unexpectedly bloomed after the A – or was it H – bomb destroyed everything within a few miles.

Because of the Eyjafjallajokull Volcano ash those seeds will now need to be posted.