Thanks to Iain for pictures of the Prime Minister’s visit to Abingdon yesterday
David Cameron came, in his big blue bus, to show support for Nicola Blackwood, the Conservative candidate, in Abingdon.
Just over a month until the elections and there is everything to play for nationally and in the Oxford West and Abingdon constituency.
Sally Copley, the labour candidate, was also out campaigning in the Bury Street Shopping Centre yesterday.
Sally said she is taking part in about 19 hustings before the election. There will be lots of chances to hear from her and the other candidates – including at the Abingdon Church Hustings on April 15th in the Guildhall.
Ah a rare sighting of our MP. There must be an election coming up.
Still, very loyal to ‘call me dave’ her voting record is impeccable in terms of backing the party line. Her only vote against I spotted was the anti-gay one that that was a free vote. She even voted for bombing Syria.
Quite right, James. As I pointed out at the time, when Call Me Dave wanted to be a Churchill, Nicola’s arm shot up and voted for her political career and send other peoples’ children to far away places to be shot at and bombed. She’s a favourite of the US Republican Neo-Cons as well. I can’t think of one redeeming quality.
Despite all that loyalty, she didn’t a get even a minor posting in government. Hmmm….
ppjs, I’m neither a particular fan or detractor but she did get given a seat on the Home Affairs (Select) Committee, which is arguably far more influential and higher than a junior government post.
I wonder if anyon, who isn’t a civil servant or candidate could name either of the recent holders of such “key” positions as:
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs
Or
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology (including Defence Exports)
I suspect there may be too many (non)jobs for the faithful and would rather have a constituency MP with some degree of “ear” and time to consider local issues.
Nineteen hustings is quite an impressive number to be taking part in. Some say hustings are old fashioned, but I like to see candidates engaging with the electorate directly rather than in a controlled and managed “photo-op”.
Does anyone know how many hustings the other candidates will be attending?
As a teacher whose pension has been significantly damaged by the Coalition – something for which for a change they both claim equal ‘credit’- I could never consider voting for either party but I do have to say that the vicious stuff about Nicola Blackwood is uncalled for. She has been very good (unlike her predecessor) in responding to letters, particularly about humanitarian causes, so I’ve no idea where the neo-con stuff comes from.
There is also the Abingdon Business Hustings on Tuesday 14 April at 6pm – open to all (obviously a business focus) but you do need to register in order to attend – email events@abingdonchamber.co.uk
Proper career politician it must be said. If she wins a junior cabinet post awaits…
Layla Moran is taking part in any in the constituency she is invited to. (And, so far, none have directly clashed with each other.)
Nicola Blackwood’s approach is on record:
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/yourtown/Oxford/12864228.Nicola_Blackwood__I_can_t_attend_every_single_hustings_for_Oxford_West___Abingdon/
I shouldn’t be writing this as it’s way out of my comfort zone and not the sorta thing an old fella should even think … but Sally is quite a hot chick. There goes any cred I might ever have had.
And she can read too 😉
Anyway, just to say I will be attending all hustings I’ve been invited to – apart from one when the date changed!
My schedule is here: https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/labourclp51/pages/784/attachments/original/1426781351/Hustings_Schedule_for_website_(1).pdf?1426781351
Being old isnt an excuse for sexism Newcomer – if she was a man you would be commenting on what she says, not what she looks like.
Sally – if you can bring to fruition a resolution to the fundamental issues affecting our town….you’ll likely win votes. Not fussed about the bigger picture…fix the local issues and diretribe responsible for the stagnation of Abingdon – traffic, poor management, poor planning, etc…and you’ll make headway.
Interestingly, Labour already overtaking Fib Dems in Ashcroft constituency poll ( though both well behind Conservatives) so perhaps hustings do make a difference.