I gather that Boris Johnson spent a few minutes in Abingdon for a few minutes at the weekend for a photo-opportunity, supporting local Conservative candidate Nicola Blackwood.

Why don’t we hear in advance that such visits are planned? Interesting that Bozza has been unleashed. It would have been nice to ask him and Nicola a locally-relevant question.

As it is, everyone in the constituency (Oxford West & Abingdon) should ensure they vote as it’s one of a minority where people can make a difference. So vote ABB (anyone but Blackwood) and send a pertinent message to “Call me Dave”, who lied when getting elected (or soon after). He promised “local decisions for/by local people” but forgot the important rider “except in South Abingdon or anywhere else we want to lumber people with loads of houses they don’t want”.

Every local planning department or council rejected the South Abingdon estate, but an “independent” inspector (crucially appointed by a Government department) allowed masses of ludicrous “evidence” that a swift examination (do read the appeal doc, it’s all there) reveals is almost entirely either debatable or complete twaddle, eg: “160 houses will generate just 41 morning rush-hour car journeys? – that’s OK, houses are good”. About the only correct point mentioned was that Vale council had messed-up, in not having in place a proper neighbourhood plan.

So, you can make a difference. Send a clear message to “Call me Dave”, and reject his representative here.

Maybe a developer will propose an estate at the bottom of Dave’s garden. Somehow I doubt a similar appeal will get granted in the same biased or incompetent way.

TONY HOLMES
Abingdon