Leader Clegg turns on charm in Shaw

STRAIGHT TALKING . . . Nick Clegg is surrounded by staff and shoppers at Asda in Shaw

ELECTIONS 2010 — on the hustings

LIB-DEM leader Nick Clegg told Shaw shoppers he will put money back in their pockets as he chose Oldham to promote his manifesto.

On the eve of a historic TV leadership debate, the politician made Shaw Asda his first visit on the day he unveiled his party’s policies.

He told staff and shoppers they won’t be taxed on the first £10,000 of earnings if he’s elected Prime Minister on May 6, saving them £700.

Charming the Oldham public he admitted: “You’d have to be made of granite not to feel a bit nervous. But the main feeling is excitement. I want to get on with it and take the opportunity. It’s the biggest job interview ever.”

The supermarket was a hub of activity as the nation’s media and local Lib-Dem councillors and supporters mingled with shoppers.

A confident Mr Clegg received applause as he took to the soapbox to answer questions from shoppers — with topics varying from the BNP to nuclear weapons — toured the store to chat to staff and was grilled by the press.

The manifesto’s four main themes are fair taxes, more chances for children, a fairer and greener economy and cleaning up politics. They plan to break-up banks and tax bank profits, put 3,000 extra police on the street and reduce class sizes in schools.

Mr Clegg pledged to clean up Westminster and deliver transparent, open politics people can be proud of.

He said of the £700 tax cut to low and middle earners: “Any of you who are struggling to pay your shopping or heating bills, this will help you. Our manifesto has a simple aim to hard wire fairness in every aspect of our lives.”

He insisted his policies are full costed, saying: “We are the only party saying not only what we will do but spelling out how we will pay for it.”

The Sheffield Hallam MP is also confident of election success in Oldham, describing Oldham East and Saddleworth candidate Elwyn Watkins as “absolutely outstanding” and saying the North West is a place where Lib-Dem support is growing fast with the number of MPs doubling.

He insisted the Lib-Dems can take power, pointing out control in Sheffield, Liverpool and Edinburgh. He added: “If people vote with their hearts for the change that we offer and for fairness then it can happen. It’s not a wasted vote. The biggest waste of all is to do the same old thing.”

Elwyn Watkins said: “We are really pleased and excited that he’s here to support us and the fact that he’s prepared to talk to the ordinary folk of Shaw taking whatever questions without minders and PR, shows he’s a down to Earth bloke.”

Asda section leader Susanne Crompton, from Watersheddings, was impressed with Mr Clegg. She said the visit was a coup for the eco-friendly store and was delighted that Mr Clegg stopped to speak to her, rather than simply making a beeline for management.

She added: “I have always voted Labour to be honest as Oldham is a Labour town but I think his manifesto has some really good points. I always thought the Lib-Dems were a wasted vote but I don’t now.

“He was a really polite, family man. He’s very down to Earth and you feel you can ask him anything — and he shops at Asda.”

Catch up the with candidates at www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/elections/