The Deputy Prime-minister, Nick Clegg, was in Abingdon for the first of a number of question and answer sessions he will be doing.
The Abbey Hall (the modern annex of the ancient Guildhall) was full to overflowing – even though the event had only been announced a couple of days ago.
There were questions on: the NHS (getting rid of admin layers, and nurses loosing lunctime break), Academies, Banks, Cuts, Benefit Cheats, Taxi charges locally, a bridge /weir near Witney, building planning regulations, should he sack a colleague who had an affair, and one about a recent Daily Mail cartoon where Obama says to the Prime Minister on parting “”Goodbye, Dave. and give your partner Clegg my best wishes for the birth.””
Nick Clegg said this was something politicians have to expect – when they are trying something new and different. Now he is in power I was very much aware of security people round him, especially coming out between building and car. Not something you expect round a Lib-Dem leader. He engaged well with the audience – like during the leaders TV debates he would remember previous questioners and acknowledge them again when re-raising a previous point.
Nicola Blackwood, the new Conservative MP for this area, was in the front row. Dr Evan Harris, her Lib-Dem predecessor was at the side. Nick Clegg came representing the coalition at this Q&A session, but at the same time, the choice of Abingdon – a very marginal Conservative seat – shows that the contest for votes in future elections is still very much on between the coalition partners.
