Tuesday 4 May 2010

Soap box superstar

I had a drink with Frank Field on Friday night. Frank is the long standing Labour MP for Birkenhead, and he was in my local with his campaign team relaxing after a long week on the hustings.

They are a weird lot, volunteer canvassers. I group them with twitchers, train spotters and the Greenham Common peace camp occupants as right up there at the top of the anorak league table.

His campaign leader, however, was an all together more rounded chap. In his early 30's he was up from Central Office in London to add some structure and support to the campaign. I did indicate to him that Franks seat must be one of the most secure Labour seats in the Country, but he was gracious enough to say that nothing could be taken for granted.

When he realised I was from his neck of the woods, the conversation quickly changed to a discussion about Anne Keen, the current MP for Hounslow West. He indicated that the seat had become a marginal now, in no little way due to the fact that Anne and her husband Alan, were an expenses scandal even before there was an expenses scandal!!

I shall watch all three candidates with interest to see what becomes of them on Thursday night, or Friday morning.

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