Weaver Vale Labour candidate claims Nick Clegg glittered but policies failed to shine

Apr 22 2010 by Paul Mannion, Chester Chronicle

STARDUST glittered on Nick Clegg following last week’s ground-breaking leaders’ debate but Lib Dem policies failed to shine so bright, according to Labour candidate John Stockton.

The Halton Brook councillor and head of department at Halewood Centre for Learning, also believes Conservative leader David Cameron came out worst from the 90-minute event.

“I think Cameron came out very badly,” said John.

“Brown was steady, a good safe pair of hands and the right man for job, to lead the country forward.

“Clegg had a bit of stardust, but I’m not worried, his policies unravelled afterwards.

“I think the Lib Dems were always likely to gain the most from it but Cameron was definitely the weakest, a man under pressure.”

Mr Stockton, 54, who is fighting hard to keep the Weaver Vale seat a Labour one following Mike Hall MP’s decision to step down, was surprised so few people in the area were talking about the debate.

“It’s not been a big issue.

“Some of the constituency have talked about it, not as much as I would have thought bearing in mind 10 million people watched it.

“A few said they found it interesting, one said they fell asleep after 10 minutes.

“Perhaps over the next few weeks the debates will gain momentum.”

Lib Dem hopeful Peter Hampson is delighted with both the country’s and the constituency’s response to the debate.

He said: “I’ve had a tremendous response, generally people think Nick Clegg won very confidently.

“People have been asking how can they support me and help out.

“I think Nick did tremendously well and he’s put us in the lead in the polls.”

Agreeing with his Labour rival, Mr Hampson says the normally slick Cameron fluffed his lines.

“Cameron came out of it the worst, he learnt his lines well for the opening and closing speeches but the real test is how you perform under pressure.”

Conservative candidate Graham Evans believes the debate has made the election more interesting.

He said: “I thought David Cameron did very well.

“Overall the debate was good for democracy; millions of people watched it and it’s created an interest for people that originally wouldn’t have been interested.

“I don’t agree that David Cameron was worst of the three but all credit to Nick Clegg, he did well also.

“It’s made life interesting.”