Roll up, roll up for the campaign circus

TALKING shop . . . Mr Cameron chats with panel-beater Kevin Garden

Chronicle reporter HELEN KORN got a front-row seat when the Cameron bandwagon rolled into Oldham. Here she describes what happens when the country’s most powerful man drops in...
PRIME Minister David Cameron kept the media on their toes for what he hopes will be a decisive appearance in the by-election campaign.

When the country’s most powerful man did eventually show up 90 minutes late in a silver Jaguar XJ series and swanky suit, he slipped back into the slick soundbite-speak that carried him and his party into shared power last May.

An army of 40 eager snappers and reporters from newspapers, radio and TV had waited patiently and there was a great sense of urgency to be in position for the best shot of Mr Cameron when he finally entered the car park of Adamsons Vehicle Care Centre. Unsuspecting staff had no idea who the “important person” was that they had been told was coming to see them.

After a while of polite chit-chat outside, Kashif Ali, the Conservative candidate, was suddenly ushered into the building.

But there was still no sign of Cameron and everyone was shuffled into the main warehouse where the lads were hard at graft.

While outside all the photographers — having been told to wait in the car park, were then escorted off the premises and on to the road outside by police. Some of them were taken to Shaw where Mr Cameron was still handing out leaflets on his campaign trail — making him an hour late.

Back inside, and 30 minutes later, Mr Cameron emerged wearing a tailored suit, white shirt and navy tie. He walked briskly into the room, surrounded by several security men wearing earpieces, completely ignored all the press and immediately went over to talk to panel-beater Kevin Garden (29) who had only been told of his arrival minutes before.

He said: “Mr Cameron asked me how long I’ve worked here and what I was doing. I was a bit nervous so I went red!

“I’m not going to vote. He’s done nothing for me but he seems like a nice bloke.”

While his workmate, Daniel Mortin (27) added: “He had a look at what I was doing and he said he wasn’t allowed to drive anymore! I will be telling my mates in the pub that I talked to him.”

Foreman Andy Bryce said Mr Cameron quizzed him about the repairs they do and how busy they were but did not ask him how he would vote or mention the VAT rise.

After a whistle-stop tour — but still managing to have a few words with every member of staff, it was off to be interrogated by the local press while journalists from the nation papers were frustrated at being told to wait even longer. Mr Cameron was surrounded by security guards as he made his way up to a tiny room where eight reporters bustled in and were allowed only one question each before the PM had to leave.

On his way down the stairs his press officer was briefing him on the more difficult questions that the national journalists might ask, while us local journalists were told to stay upstairs until he had left!