Nick Clegg not worried by Boris Johnson's impending visit to Eastleigh in by-election race

12:35pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Bethan Phillips, Reporter

Boris Johnson Boris Johnson

Nick Clegg has defended his decision to spend time in Mozambique ahead of Eastleigh's crucial by-election.

The Deputy Prime Minister has travelled to the African country as part of the Government's work with the G8.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister David Cameron visited Eastleigh this morning, just a day after Chancellor George Osborne took a tour around the constituency in support of Conservative candidate Maria Hutchings.

Mr Clegg was asked on a London radio station this morning if he was worried that he should be in Eastleigh as well.

He responded by saying he had already been out campaigning in the constituency, and would be returning again shortly.

He added: “I don't think anyone can accuse me of being a slouch when it comes to campaigning for my party, for excellent candidates and above all, frankly, for the people of Eastleigh who deserve to have someone represent them at Westminster.

“I don't think it's healthy for a constituency to go unrepresented for too long.”

Mr Clegg was also asked if he was worried about an upcoming visit by Tory London Mayor Boris Johnson.

He said: “I think people will be genuinely more moved by which party they think stands up for jobs, for fair taxes, for green spaces than they will by Boris passing through for a fleeting minute or two on his bike.”

The by-election in Eastleigh has been triggered by the resignation of Chris Huhne, who has pleaded guilty perverting the course of justice, after asking his wife to take speeding points on his behalf.

The vote takes place on Thursday, February 28.

Comments(7)

sburman says...
2:51pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Do these Tos*ers really believe that people are swayed by these Playground squabble politics. Come the 1st March, these high flyers will forget all about Eastleigh’s problems as the Political Circus moves on to the next playground.
Labour maxed out our national credit card – with the help of the greedy banks & our own credit culture ( for which we all are to blame )
The Tories/LibDems don’t seem to have a clue how to fix it. Surely cutting back on services just puts more people out work which, in turn, puts more people out of work, which, in turn, – well you get the drift. Why can’t we leave these people in work and paying their way and increase the pence/pound tax rate for all until our credit card is paid off or, at least, brought back under control.
I am 62 and have seen it all before but never have I been so disillusioned with all the Political parties, I am only sorry there is not a `None of The Above` party.

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one in a million says...
3:33pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Which party does Clegg support. His statement "I think people will be genuinely more moved by which party they think stands up for jobs, for fair taxes, for green spaces...." doesn’t seem to describe his party in Eastleigh...or is his rhetoric as much based in fact as the topics contained in their election material, quoting statistics with no source to back up their grandiose claims.

As an Eastleigh voter I find their laissez-faire attitude to Eastleigh people rather arrogant at both national and local level. Their underhand tatics with regard to concreting over the borough and disregard for the opinions of local people is staggering combined with the twaddle they spout in their electioneering.

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AndyAndrews says...
4:52pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Please vote for anyone but those treacherous LibDems, who deserve a kicking for inflicting upon us both the criminal liar Huhne and the miserable Coalition he helped to form.

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downfader says...
5:28pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Whats Boris going to do? Warble on about jumpers for goalposts..? He is irrelevant to Eastleigh.

Sad to say it but I see UKIP winning this.

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Pikey-Biker says...
6:57pm Fri 15 Feb 13

“Here we are in one of the most depressed downs in southern England, a place that is arguably too full of drugs, obesity, underachievement and Labour MPs.”

Boris on Portsmouth (2007)

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IronLady2010 says...
12:29am Sat 16 Feb 13

I'll be the odd one and say I like Boris, he speaks his mind and has a weird hair cut :-)

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sungie1$ says...
12:37pm Tue 19 Feb 13

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO DO IT?
You can vote for the Tories, or Labour, you can vote for the Liberals' too? The promises they make they USUALLY BREAK , They dont really care about You? Mass, Immigration? =NO,Jobs'.= Houses, on Your, Doorstep.=Queue's,at The surgery? and Hospitals?
Now You Know How To Do It. Now You Know The Way. If You Want A
Referundum On EUROPE? U K I.P IS The WAY. Have Your Say.? We are All IN it Together???

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