Campaign ‘poisonous’ to Tories
nearby constituencies in West London where the Tories are expected to face very tough fights against Labour.
The mayor insists, however, that he is not taking Uxbridge and South Ruislip for granted, despite his predecessor, John Randall’s 11,216 majority.
On the streets of Uxbridge, there are some less than convinced by the blonde bombshell.
Freddy Restall, 67, an ex-serviceman , says he knew people like Boris in the Army.
“We had a lot of people like him. We had to look after them when they came in. Officers, with lots of education and no common sense.” He says he is torn on whether he will vote for the Tory or Ukip’s Jack Duffin, because “nobody is telling the truth except Nigel Farage”.
Others suggest they will vote for Chris Summers, Labour’s candidate, who insists he is putting up a staunch fight in the face of the Boris juggernaut. However, the fact that one of his potential backers, standing outside a flower stall near the station, calls him “David” perhaps does not bode well.
But many just seem happy with Boris. What is the secret of his success?
According to Emma Wiseman, 23, who works at the local civic centre, it could be, for use of a better word, authenticity.
An undecided voter, she says she has a “lot more reading to do” before deciding how to cast her vote.
She has also seen Boris campaigning, but kept away from the crowds because there was too much “commotion”. But she likes Boris, she says.
Of the one-time Eton schoolboy and member of the Oxford’s notorious Bullingdon Club drinking society, she adds: “He just seems very down to earth. A lot of the people that you see on TV can seem very snobbish. But he just seems like a normal person, ordinary.
“Often when you see him he looks quite scruffy and I think that is quite endearing.
“David Cameron always looks very stiff and proper. I know he is the Prime Minister, but no-one looks like that all the time, do they?”