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Witney Constituency

RESULT: Conservative retained

Dawn Barnes (Liberal Democrat) 11,233

Joe Goldberg (Labour) 7,511

Stuart Macdonald (Green) 2,385

Nikolai Tolstoy (UKIP) 2,001

Howling Laud Hope (Monster Raving Loony William Hill Party) 234

Paul Wesson (Independent) 166

Johnnie Cook (Independent) 151

Colin Bex (Wessex Regionalists) 62

Aaron Barschak (Independent) 53

Turnout: 73.6 per cent

2005: Conservative (retained)

2005 majority: 14,156

2005 turnout: 69.7%

THE EYES of the world will fall on Witney on May 6 where Conservative leader David Cameron will begin his bid to become the next Prime Minister.

And aside from some colourful characters seeking to share the media spotlight there, few expect a shock at the Windrush Leisure Centre when the count is declared.

Mr Cameron almost doubled his majority in the West Oxfordshire constituency in 2005 winning nearly 50 per cent of the vote.

He has held the seat since 2001 and his majority – now standing at more than 14,000 – looks unassailable.

Perhaps the biggest question for voters is whether Mr Cameron can be a constituency MP and lead the country if the Conservatives win overall power.

Earlier in the campaign he told the Oxford Mail: “Obviously it does put huge pressure on your time but the role of the constituency MP is very important, not just for helping your constituents but also as a daily and weekly reminder of what people are going through in their lives.

” The Liberal Democrats in-creased their share of the vote in 2005 and stole second place from Labour.

They will be hoping the surge in Liberal Democrat popularity, following Nick Clegg’s performances in the TV debates, translates into a polls boost on May 6.

Independent candidate Paul Wesson has probably the best campaign story to tell – submitting his nomination as he sat stranded thousands of miles away in Africa.

Mr Wesson had been working in Sudan since early March and had planned to return at the beginning of the campaign.

But the volcanic ash cloud that spread over Europe kept him in Africa for an extra week and left him playing campaign catch-up on his return.

The constituency has also attracted a number of smaller parties seeking to share the stage and the media spotlight.

The Wessex Regionalists want independence for Wessex and party leader Colin Bex stands in Witney on May 6.

And Alan ‘Howling Laud’ Hope of The Monster Raving Loony William Hill Party makes it three party leaders fighting it out for the West Oxfordshire seat.

Self-styled comedy terrorist Aaron Barschak, infamous for gatecrashing Prince Harry’s birthday party, is also seeking election and ensures it will be a crowded stage when the count is declared.

Boundary changes will also impact on the Witney Constituency at the 2010 election.

Changes to the Parliamentary boundaries were recommended following a countrywide review in 2004 and the Witney constituency boundary is now the same as the West Oxfordshire District Council boundary.

The villages of Yarnton, Shipton-on-Cherwell and Begbroke no longer fall within the Witney constituency.

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