Sunday, April 24, 2005
Questions can be put to the candidates for Oxford East ...
"Questions can be put to the candidates for Oxford East at Sacred Heart Church, Balfour Road, Blackbird Leys on Sun 24th April from 7-00 to 8-30 pm." Considerting how badly this was advertised, there was a really good turnout and a good debate.
I thought Steve Goddard was a classic Lib Dem - he answered questions thoughtfully, was moderate and reasonable and respected the electorate and everthing you'd want.. - but.. didn't completely come across as strong and leaderly and professional - at least, not in comparison to hugely more experienced ex cabinet minister Andrew Smith (Labour).
He, of course, weaseled out of the Iraq dodgy dossier thing somehow by repeating that Saddam is well rid of. Duh.
The UKIP guy Peter Gardner bloke very honest - he was happy to say things he knew would be unpopular with the audience and admit when he didn't have an answer - shame I can't agree with any of his policies or i'd vote for him.
The Virginia Morris (Tory) seemed sane and normal but was definitely evasive - managed to answer a question on social justice with something about "trust".
I liked the green guy Jacob Sanders - but he was taken apart by everyone on the issue of building affordable housing (on the greenbelt) in oxford.
Pat Mylvaganam (independent), won a lot of favour by saying the word "balderdash" a lot. He had campaigned on local issues (eg employee rights in the car plant, allowing Brookes to buy up Headington, etc) and was very up front. But maybe better as a local counsellor.
Maurice Leen (independent working class association) made some interesting points and obviously knew all his statistics, but was a bit nervous.
New Loony party were a no show.
I tbink i'll probably vote lib dem. But with a frown.
I thought Steve Goddard was a classic Lib Dem - he answered questions thoughtfully, was moderate and reasonable and respected the electorate and everthing you'd want.. - but.. didn't completely come across as strong and leaderly and professional - at least, not in comparison to hugely more experienced ex cabinet minister Andrew Smith (Labour).
He, of course, weaseled out of the Iraq dodgy dossier thing somehow by repeating that Saddam is well rid of. Duh.
The UKIP guy Peter Gardner bloke very honest - he was happy to say things he knew would be unpopular with the audience and admit when he didn't have an answer - shame I can't agree with any of his policies or i'd vote for him.
The Virginia Morris (Tory) seemed sane and normal but was definitely evasive - managed to answer a question on social justice with something about "trust".
I liked the green guy Jacob Sanders - but he was taken apart by everyone on the issue of building affordable housing (on the greenbelt) in oxford.
Pat Mylvaganam (independent), won a lot of favour by saying the word "balderdash" a lot. He had campaigned on local issues (eg employee rights in the car plant, allowing Brookes to buy up Headington, etc) and was very up front. But maybe better as a local counsellor.
Maurice Leen (independent working class association) made some interesting points and obviously knew all his statistics, but was a bit nervous.
New Loony party were a no show.
I tbink i'll probably vote lib dem. But with a frown.
Comments:
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Having been at the public meeting, I came away optimistic about the whole election issue. I think that as individuals, all candidates seemed ok. When it came to representation of the constituency, I think all would do a reasonable job BUT...
1) Tory lady seemed a bit disinterested and didn't really answer the questions
2) Independent Pat might get carried away with a fire in his belly and not actually achieve what you wanted him to
3) Working Class Hero would be very focussed on certain issues to the exclusion of others.
Unlike meanpeoplesuck, I thought the beardy LibDem was actually very impressive. He made sure to answer ALL parts of ALL questions.
Andrew Smith had an over-confident swagger about him that made it easy to dislike him. I did.
But there were no lizards.
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1) Tory lady seemed a bit disinterested and didn't really answer the questions
2) Independent Pat might get carried away with a fire in his belly and not actually achieve what you wanted him to
3) Working Class Hero would be very focussed on certain issues to the exclusion of others.
Unlike meanpeoplesuck, I thought the beardy LibDem was actually very impressive. He made sure to answer ALL parts of ALL questions.
Andrew Smith had an over-confident swagger about him that made it easy to dislike him. I did.
But there were no lizards.
# posted by 
: 3:50 PM
: 3:50 PM << Home
