This evening the Abingdon and Oxford West Conservative association were choosing their candidate for the next General Election which could be as far away as 2010. They hope to regain control from the Lib-Dem MP, Dr Evan Harris.

I was told that four young female ‘A List’ candidates were taking part. ‘A’ List Candidates only go for a winnable constituency. The Conservatives are hoping with this early start, and a lot of hard work on the doorstep to win here. I do wonder if they also have ‘A+’ List Candidates for safe Tory seats.

Each candidate was asked whether they had experienced hardship and how it had affected them. One had served in the armed services in Iraq, one had suffered a collapsed lung, one had had ME and had come back. They said that hardship makes the woman in terms of compassion, empathy, character, and fighting spirit. One candidate had even taken up marshall arts after coming through her hardship ( a serious spinal injury).

Nicola Blackwood, the young lady top left, won, and it was not just because she is blond, although that helped, and could well be worth some votes.