ELECTION 2010 - Foreign Secretary David Miliband: Tory Joanne Cash would 'short-change electorate’ - Tale of two campaigns in Westminster North

Published: 30 April 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

IT was a tale of two campaigns in Westminster North this week: in St John’s Wood Joanne Cash cut a relaxed figure on the canvassing trail with Mayor of London Boris Johnson, while in Queen’s Park, Karen Buck looked more 

purposeful as she pounded the pavements with Foreign Secretary David Miliband.

Mr Miliband urged residents of “all political stripes” to vote for Ms Buck during the whistlestop tour.

He heaped praise on his Labour colleague, saying she was one of the true great constituency MPs, and that voters would be crazy to vote for her Conservative rival Joanne Cash.

Asked about their differing election strategies, Mr Miliband said Joanne “Cash for Questions” – as he dubbed her – and her Conservative colleagues were running a negative campaign.

They called in on Paddington Academy, where Mr Miliband taught an economics lesson, before talking to voters in hairdressers, newsagents and even a kebab shop near Ms Buck’s Shirland Mews office in Queen’s Park.

It seems they can count on at least one vote on May 6. Harrow Road resident Lailee Behman was so surprised when the Foreign Secretary walked into her local grocery store, she dropped her milk. But he made amends – posing for a picture with her baby son Ryan. 

Meanwhile, in St John’s Wood High Street, asked about Ms Cash, Mr Johnson said: “Joanne is a top top candidate. We are all very impressed with her, and on May 6 

I think it will be a good day for her and the Conservatives.”