Ming enjoys campaigning. This has been his first full week on the trail, and he has been relishing it. A sprinter by training, he has taken to the middle distance contest for the leadership with enthusiasm, setting a fast pace but leaving plenty in reserve for the final spurt.
On Monday, he was in Cornwall at the Eden Project, a natural backdrop against which to set out his strongly held environmental beliefs. Friends of the Earth traditionally gives the political parties green ratings at General Elections. Ming’s speech was measured by the even tougher green standards of the party’s Shadow Environment Secretary Norman Baker. Norman gave it 100% approval.
Later Ming was in Taunton with Jeremy Browne MP. He was cheered by students when he went to speak to Huish Sixth Form College. The discussion ranged over many topics, but they were particularly taken by Ming’s passionately argued opposition to increasing nuclear power.
He was with students again on Tuesday in Brent with Sarah Teather MP. Much of that discussion revolved round sport, another passion of Ming’s.
Wednesday saw Ming’s third outing as Acting Leader at Prime Minister’s Questions. He raised the issue of Darfur, on which he has consistently pressed the Government as our Shadow Foreign Secretary. The House listened to him with the respect which he always commands on international issues.
On Wednesday evening, there was a special edition of Any Questions on Radio 4, broadcast from Richmond and featuring the three leadership contenders. Ming spoke with enormous conviction on issues like civil liberties. Our man in the audience with the portable clapometer registered twenty spontaneous rounds of applause for Ming, more than twice the number achieved by either of his rivals. Known Tory and Labour supporters in the audience were heard commenting how effective he was.
Thursday took Ming to the North East, but not at the speed he had hoped. A delay of an hour and thirty-five minutes in the train journey meant that the planned stopover in Durham had to be cancelled. PPC Carol Woods, who cut the Labour majority so impressively at the 2005 General Election, is a strong Campbell supporter. In Newcastle, newspaper and broadcast interest was high because of the events surrounding Simon Hughes. After expressing sympathy for Simon, Ming was able to concentrate to good effect on his campaign messages when he met local members. The majority were clearly with him.
Friday saw Ming behind the wheel of a Formula One car, though only for a picture. He was visiting the Knockhill Racing Circuit in Dunfermline with by-election candidate Willie Rennie.
This week, four more MPs have declared for Ming, John Barrett, Colin Breed, Paul Keetch and Alan Reid.
