Hustings Part Two

Well, as I said last night, we had a great hustings meeting in Staines last night. There was an excellent turnout, and a broad range of questions. We were asked about everything from Education, to Trident, Government support for Faith Groups, and Immigration. We were well tested on our respective parties policies, and also on issues that are traditionally left to individual MPs to make personal decisions on. The audience were keen to hold us to account, and talking to many people afterwards, they said it had been helpful for them to hear us live, and it would inform their voting intentions considerably. Facing a large audience is a good test of a prospective MPs mettle. It is amazing how quickly the microphone seems to reach you as you gather your thoughts (very quickly!) to give your answer. When a question comes out of left field, suddenly even the keenest of candidates looks at the mic as if it was on fire! We have another hustings event tomorrow night at Kempton Park, and it will be interesting to see how that goes now we have heard each others answers to a lot of questions!

Demonstrators Pack The Avenue

There was a brilliant turnout for the demonstration against the London Irish development proposals in The Avenue today. Several hundred Lower Sunbury residents showed exactly how they felt about a plan that is quite simply not welcomed by the majority of people locally. The demo was very good natured, and was a first for many of the residents I spoke to. It is they who would have to cope with the consequences of the development, and they who should be listened to. I hope that the councillors on the planning committee understand the strength of feeling here and reject the plans when they convene at Kempton Park on the 27th of this month.