Over a hundred people (a sizeable proportion of them Asian) assembled in a Chingford hotel last night to hear the two LibDem leadership candidates, as well as Lord (Eric) Avebury, victor of the now legendary 1962 Orpington by-election. Eric was originally to be the guest of honour at the Walthamstow constituency annual dinner, but local PPC, Farid Ahmed, and his organiser, Nasser Butt, wisely decided to lure Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne along, and combine the dinner with a hustings. This attracted members not only from across Waltham Forest, but also from nearby areas such as Enfield, Hackney and Tower Hamlets. The three principal speakers, plus Meral Ece (as GLA candidate for London North East) and myself (as No 2 on the London Euro-list) circulated between the tables as everyone had their meal. Not very conducive to our digestion, but a good way of getting to talk to lots of people!
So who came out of the hustings debate better? Having heard both candidates speak seperately and together on numerous occasions recently, I am no longer surprised that they generate the response from less familiar members, ‘But they are both so good? How can I choose?’ I now know both of the candidates’ main performance pieces almost off by heart, but I make the following observations on last night’s showing. Nick scores highly from his polished, no-notes, stand-up delivery. He offers interesting new possiblities, but also asks for a certain leap of faith (not necessarily a bad thing). Chris has loosened up considerably over the weeks of the campaign, but still feels safer at a podium, with a script he can refer to if needed. But he exudes gravitas and rightly stresses his experience outside politics. He also has had the edge when it comes to questions, at events where I have been present.
I have already voted for Chris (as I did last time round), so critics might say I am parti pris. But I have tried to observe this whole contest objectively. At the outset, I’d assumed Nick would win easily: younger, bouncier, more telegenic. And I would be perfectly happy to live and work with that result. But on the basis of what members have been telling me, both last night and over recent weeks, I now concur with those who are predicting a much closer call.
