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Eastleigh byelection: PM denies Tories hiding away 'loose cannon' candidate Eastleigh byelection: PM denies Tories hiding away 'loose cannon' candidate
(7 months later)
The Tory byelection campaign in Eastleigh suffered a blow when the prime minister was forced to deny that the party's candidate was being hidden away because she was a "loose cannon".The Tory byelection campaign in Eastleigh suffered a blow when the prime minister was forced to deny that the party's candidate was being hidden away because she was a "loose cannon".
David Cameron, who was in the Hampshire constituency on Thursday to show support for Maria Hutchings, also became embroiled in a row with the BBC after the candidate spent time preparing for an event with him rather than face voters at a hustings organised by the corporation.David Cameron, who was in the Hampshire constituency on Thursday to show support for Maria Hutchings, also became embroiled in a row with the BBC after the candidate spent time preparing for an event with him rather than face voters at a hustings organised by the corporation.
The Lib Dems, who are defending the seat in next Thursday's vote following Chris Huhne's resignation, seized on the Tory problems, presenting 10 questions that they said had to be answered about Hutchings, who has attracted headlines for forthright – and often off-message – views about subjects ranging from state education to the EU and gay marriage.The Lib Dems, who are defending the seat in next Thursday's vote following Chris Huhne's resignation, seized on the Tory problems, presenting 10 questions that they said had to be answered about Hutchings, who has attracted headlines for forthright – and often off-message – views about subjects ranging from state education to the EU and gay marriage.
They asked why she was "running scared" of the media and being "gagged" by Tory minders when she was out on the stump. They also demanded to know why the Tories continued to describe her as "local" when she only moved to Hampshire from Essex after she was selected to stand at the last general election.They asked why she was "running scared" of the media and being "gagged" by Tory minders when she was out on the stump. They also demanded to know why the Tories continued to describe her as "local" when she only moved to Hampshire from Essex after she was selected to stand at the last general election.
Senior Tory figures within the constituency continue to back Hutchings. They say she is good on the doorstep and has campaigned tirelessly for constituents since arriving in Eastleigh five years ago. Cameron said: "Maria is hard-working, lives locally, is a mother of four, has business experience. That's what matters. We've got a great candidate, she'd do a brilliant job for the constituency. She backed my plan to get on top of the deficit, get the economy moving, reform welfare, give us a fair immigration system. She backs all those things, I want her in the House of Commons beside me voting for those things."Senior Tory figures within the constituency continue to back Hutchings. They say she is good on the doorstep and has campaigned tirelessly for constituents since arriving in Eastleigh five years ago. Cameron said: "Maria is hard-working, lives locally, is a mother of four, has business experience. That's what matters. We've got a great candidate, she'd do a brilliant job for the constituency. She backed my plan to get on top of the deficit, get the economy moving, reform welfare, give us a fair immigration system. She backs all those things, I want her in the House of Commons beside me voting for those things."
The prime minister arrived in Eastleigh on Thursday for one of his Cameron Direct sessions at a high-tech cable manufacturer. He answered questions on topics including immigration, benefits, childcare, VAT and apprenticeships.The prime minister arrived in Eastleigh on Thursday for one of his Cameron Direct sessions at a high-tech cable manufacturer. He answered questions on topics including immigration, benefits, childcare, VAT and apprenticeships.
Wrapping up the session he asked for workers to vote for Hutchings, saying: "She speaks plainly, tells it how it is, God knows we need a bit more of that at Westminster."Wrapping up the session he asked for workers to vote for Hutchings, saying: "She speaks plainly, tells it how it is, God knows we need a bit more of that at Westminster."
But in media interviews in another part of the factory he found himself on the back foot when he was asked if Hutchings was being hidden away because she is a "loose cannon". Cameron said: "We're not hiding her away, she's right here."But in media interviews in another part of the factory he found himself on the back foot when he was asked if Hutchings was being hidden away because she is a "loose cannon". Cameron said: "We're not hiding her away, she's right here."
Hutchings had attracted criticism earlier from opponents and audience members for not attending a BBC Radio 5 Live hustings that began two hours before the Cameron Direct event earlier in the day.Hutchings had attracted criticism earlier from opponents and audience members for not attending a BBC Radio 5 Live hustings that began two hours before the Cameron Direct event earlier in the day.
Asked why Hutchings was not at the hustings, Cameron said she had been with him at the visit to the cable manufacturer. A BBC television correspondent pointed out that he had been at both – and so she could have been too.Asked why Hutchings was not at the hustings, Cameron said she had been with him at the visit to the cable manufacturer. A BBC television correspondent pointed out that he had been at both – and so she could have been too.
Cameron told him: "I think the BBC has behaved badly and stupidly about this from everything I've heard. My understanding is that we were discussing with you for ages about the timing of the hustings and the fact that Maria wanted to be with me for this meeting."Cameron told him: "I think the BBC has behaved badly and stupidly about this from everything I've heard. My understanding is that we were discussing with you for ages about the timing of the hustings and the fact that Maria wanted to be with me for this meeting."
He added: "I do think this is a totally got-up thing by the BBC. You're not the most important thing in this byelection. The candidates are." Cameron attracted some criticism on Twitter later from people who pointed out that, actually, the voters were the most important.He added: "I do think this is a totally got-up thing by the BBC. You're not the most important thing in this byelection. The candidates are." Cameron attracted some criticism on Twitter later from people who pointed out that, actually, the voters were the most important.
Hutchings said: "I had the huge privilege of the prime minister visiting this company. It's incredibly important for Eastleigh. I needed to be here to prepare and speak to the people in this business. I might have loads of energy, I might say it how it is, but I can't be in two places at one time."Hutchings said: "I had the huge privilege of the prime minister visiting this company. It's incredibly important for Eastleigh. I needed to be here to prepare and speak to the people in this business. I might have loads of energy, I might say it how it is, but I can't be in two places at one time."
She would not take questions.She would not take questions.
The BBC seemed to contradict Cameron's account of long-running discussions over the hustings arrangements, saying that all four main party candidates had been asked on 13 February to take part in the debate. It had only been told on Wednesday that Hutchings could not be there.The BBC seemed to contradict Cameron's account of long-running discussions over the hustings arrangements, saying that all four main party candidates had been asked on 13 February to take part in the debate. It had only been told on Wednesday that Hutchings could not be there.
A BBC spokesperson said: "This was too late for us to rearrange the broadcast, as the venue, the audience and the other candidates had all been confirmed."A BBC spokesperson said: "This was too late for us to rearrange the broadcast, as the venue, the audience and the other candidates had all been confirmed."
The other parties clearly enjoyed the Tory troubles. Ukip candidate Diane James said it was "amusing". Labour's John O'Farrell said it did not matter that she was not at the hustings – as she was represented there by her government's coalition partner.The other parties clearly enjoyed the Tory troubles. Ukip candidate Diane James said it was "amusing". Labour's John O'Farrell said it did not matter that she was not at the hustings – as she was represented there by her government's coalition partner.
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