This was the question asked by Andrew Peach on Radio Berkshire’s morning news show (1). In the first week of the campaign people were deluged with over three tonnes of election papers from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats(2), yet much of it has ended up unread in recycling bins. Will their heavyweight candidates end up the same way, allowing the Green candidate to pip them at the post?

Labour have put up a candidate, but do not seem to be contesting this election, whereas the Green candidate, Mark Stevenson, has come out fighting. The BBC’s Politics Show, Radio Oxford and Radio Berkshire have broadcast interviews with him. This week he was touring the northern part of the constituency on his bicycle, canvassing and visiting a number of villages and towns in the area. He has held public meetings in Berinsfield, Thame, Wheatley and Watlington.

Mr Stevenson said “I started my campaign in the northern half of the constituency, where I am better known. People in Henley have seen plenty of literature from Mr Howell and Mr Kearney, but now its time for them to be able to meet the other main candidate. I will be canvassing in Henley over the next few days, but more importantly will be holding an open meeting on Wednesday 18^th June. Many people are unfamiliar with our policies, for example did you know we want to abolish car tax? Or that at the last General Election the Royal Town Planning Institute concluded “With the exception of the Greens, there is still a failure to connect planning, transport and the environment and to provide a joined-up approach to infrastructure."(3)? This meeting will give people a really great opportunity to find out more about me, and our policies. Especially as Derek Wall, one of our Principal Speakers, who has come to help me campaign will be there too.”

Derek Wall, Principal Speaker for the Greens, will join Mark Stevenson, the Green candidate, at a public meeting being held at 7pm on Wednesday 18^th June at the Christchurch Centre, 46 Reading Road, Henley. The meeting is open to everyone.

Notes

1. Radio Berkshire Andrew Peach news show 8.20am, Tuesday 10^th June.
2. Approximately 80g delivered to one household, if this is representative of all 42,300 households that would correspond to 3.384 tonnes.
3. Royal Town Planning Institute survey of the main party manifestos (“Planning” magazine, 15^th April, 2005)