Local Liberal Democrats at Alton Yuletide Festival

The local Liberal Democrats took part in the fabulous Alton Yuletide Festival on Sunday, 2 December.  Their stall in the Assembly Rooms attracted a lot of attention from visitors and the enthusiastic LibDem stallholders were kept busy throughout the day. 

Much of the stall was given over to a Bottle Tombola which proved popular and boosted the campaign funds. For the youngsters, the big yellow balloons that were being handed out were the chief attraction. 

Their parents, and many teenagers too, were intrigued by the very informal survey being conducted into the relative merits of Chris Huhne and Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leadership contenders.  Visitors were invited to write a message of support on a pink heart-shaped sticker, which was then stuck on the picture of the man of their choice.  But the good people of Alton were pretty well divided in their opinion and it was difficult to declare a winner.  Chris and Nick were equally well-regarded and, by the end of the day, both  pictures had been framed with a goodly number of pink hearts.

A lot of visitors also expressed their support and respect for Vince Cable, who has so ably filled the role of caretaker LibDem leader in the last few weeks.   Many felt that he too should have thrown his hat into the leadership ring.

Incidentally, there were also a number of pink hearts expressing support for Adam Carew, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for East Hampshire. 

Adam, who lives in Whitehill and is no stranger to Alton, was much in evidence throughout the day, helping to man the stall.  He said afterwards that he was delighted to have had the opportunity to meet and talk with so many Alton people.  He also said that the huge success of the Yuletide Festival, along with the great atmosphere throughout the town on Sunday, was a wonderful tribute to all the hard-working organisers, and also to the people of Alton who braved the elements to come out and enjoy the attractions.