I had an unexpected invitation from Grant Shapps this week, a rising political star and MP for Welwyn Hatfield, to come along and meet David Cameron, have a spot of lunch and listen to a speech. I was naturally looking forward to the opportunity of bending his ear, then when I turned up, I discovered that 299 other people had also been invited. Never mind, it would have been selfish to keep him to myself.
David had been doing the rounds in the eastern region before mustering his supporters in Hatfield, all smartly dressed – ties too, though he looked cool without his. In fact, he looked remarkably fit and well and was naturally exuberant and optimistic. He left his fan following wishing there was a general election next week so we could boot out Blair.
But despite DC’s incredibly high popularity right now, he knows he has to maintain that top figure in the polls for a long time to come and spelled it out quite clearly that they still have a long way to go, but were firmly setting the agenda. I was amazed by his fluent speaking, his total recall for facts and figures on any subject, all without notes.
I caught up with a former colleague Andrew Parsons (see pic), a photographer with the Press Association, who follows DC like a shadow, even to Afghanistan, the Arctic and India. We had both worked at the Cambridge Evening News, and he hasn’t changed a bit.
The last time we bumped into each other was on the eve of last year’s general election campaign when Michael Howard was due to give his
last press conference at a seaside hotel in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. All the press were en route, then we were told that because of fog, Michael’s helicopter could not land and the event would have to be transferred to Norwich instead.
So with less than two hours to go, a new venue was found (the blood donor session at the hotel kindly moved out so we could move in). I was told to drive to Norwich without knowing where to as the details had not then been finalised, it was pouring with rain, but thank heavens for my sat nav which I was able to set up after being given the name of the hotel. It was the most dramatic day of the campaign for me. Then we had to find an audience from nowhere, the people who appear as the backdrop while the politician speaks in front of them. It was good team work that day. Andrew was on the media bus and we chatted for a while, I wonder when our paths will next cross.
Hopefully, DC and I will meet up another time and have that tete-a-tete – only without having the crowd along too.
Glad to hear about your meeting with DC. You had a fine picture there.
You look pretty cute really , a poppy with a blue short , now really sets of your hair ….
I think I love you. Your so ….caring
Well done Ellee – Did you invite him upto Cambridge? David Howarth was at CB2 tonight, apparently
What an adorable picture! If I didn’t know better I’d say, what a cute couple!!!
Sounds like it was good fun, even if a bit overcrowded (always the way for DC I suspect). I’m very jealous of that Parsons fellow… what a marvellous job to have!
Ellee, did you get a chance to pop any of those demanding environmental questions?
Martine, David is pretty cute, and yes, Andrew does have a great job, but is very down to earth and the same person he was in his Cambridge days. His parents live near me and I’m hoping he will call if he is in the area and has time, but I expect he is always rushing around. I know he is getting married next year, so he will have lots of plans to make, his fiance is a reporter with but is joining the Independent.
Jim, David answere lots of envirnmental questions during his speech. What I found out tht was interesting was that although the UK emits 2% of global carbon emissions, the total from our businesses amounts to 15%, so there needs to be lots of work done there.
I knew his press officer and she tried to fix some one-to-one, only he was mobbed and he had to dash off. I don’t recall this kind of adoration happening to Michael Howard or John Major.
Good to hear that you interacted with Mr. Cameron. He seems to be a very knowledgeble and energetic politician. I followed his blog during his India visit courtesy you.
Thats a nice pic of your’s with Mr. Cameron.
Thanks for sharing that news with us, Ellee. And that is a strikingly attractive photo. Ideal for an election leaflet if I may so. I am sorry you didn’t have a chance to bend DC’s ear. If you ever do run into him again, you might have a word in his shell-like about Istanbul Tory’s ambition to reach the A-list! Or more realistically, the Z-list.
Istanbul Tory, thanks for the compliment re the pic. DC was asked about the A-list, but said he called it the Priority List and it was nothing to do with him, others were handling it – do you believe that?
I’m sure your political ambitions will be realised if you move to Cambridge and fight for a seat on the city council, that would be a challenging place for you to cut your teeth.