Boris Johnson thinks his rivals are small fry and as for the election campaign, he is lovin' it.

That was the verdict from the Conservative MP for Henley, who took a break from campaigning to stop off for lunch at McDonald's in Botley yesterday (Thursday, April 28), while drumming up support for Amanda McLean's bid to snatch Oxford West and Abingdon from the Liberal Democrats.

While Mrs McLean made light work of a Filet-o-fish, Boris munched on two cheeseburgers, chips and a coke, and delivered a ringing endorsement for fast food.

He said: "I'm kicking off my diet with cheeseburger -- whatever Jamie Oliver says McDonalds are incredibly nutritious and, as far as I can tell, crammed full of vital nutrients and rigid with goodness."

But what about the General Election and his future? Is the Tory dream of forming a government and a return to frontbench politics all just apple pie-in-the-sky?

He said: "You know funny things can happen -- people might declare they are Labour supporters in the polls and then decide they are not going to vote for Blair again.

"If they give me a job it would be wonderful, I am keen to do whatever I can but I think it's unlikely I will be called upon to serve as Prime Minister."

Boris and Mrs McLean, who earlier spoke at the Oxford Union, were quick to repeat the Tory election slogans of cleaner hospitals, more police and improved school discipline, but is anyone listening?

"It could all turn around in the next week because there are huge issues at stake. Not only has Labour run out of money it's run out of steam and ideas," he said.

As with most places Boris goes a McFlurry of publicity and attention surrounded him, but after his fill of fast food it was back on the election trail -- but not before he joked to members of the Press to 'burger off.'

Oxford East Liberal Democrat candidate Steve Goddard cycled around St Clements with Lord Bradshaw, Liberal Democrat transport spokesman in the House of Lords, to launch the party's national bike strategy yesterday.

He said: "I cycle on the roads of Oxford East every day -- it's good for the environment and good for my health and we're the only major party that has green action for every policy area in our manifesto."