Candidate "attacked" on campaign trail
9:00am Saturday 30th May 2009 in News By Oliver Evans
Steven Adams
AN election candidate has spoken of the moment he was “attacked” by an angry constituent on the doorstep.
Conservative Steven Adams said he was pushed in the chest while out campaigning in the Chesham North West ward.
It comes as Buckinghamshire County Council candidates report an increased level of hostility after revelations about MPs expenses.
Mr Adams, who would not name where the incident happened, said: “I knocked on the door, he opened, saw I was from a political party and said “not interested, get off my doorstep”.
“He shoved me off the doorstep with a flat hand to the chest but it wasn’t more than that. It wasn’t a fight.”
The resident, who was in his 20s, was probably angered over the expenses, said Mr Adams, 28.
“I didn’t have the time to find out why. I suspect he doesn’t necessarily see the point of politicians.
“Of course it is a intimidating, you don’t know when it’s going to happen again.”
Speaking after council chief executive Chris Williams warned voters not to be put off voting, Mr Adams said: “There are lots of people that are angry over it.
“In the main, most people are drawing a distinctions between councillors and MPs.
“It is tempting to knock on the door and say what you have been doing and persuade them but, at the moment, it is understandable when everyone is so angry.”
He said: “I hope not to be attacked again.”
Deputy council leader Bill Chapple said the number of slammed doors has risen for this election.
Comments(10)
TP99
says...
9:40am Sat 30 May 09
LOLoutloud
says...
10:53am Sat 30 May 09
And I am certain that Mr Adams didn't comply with the request to get off the doorstep at once; probably a couple of tries to get him to talk before the pushing incident occured.
weyfarer
says...
7:11pm Sat 30 May 09
stevenadams
says...
7:33pm Sat 30 May 09
I understand the guy is annoyed with politicians and don't blame him, but I'd suggest that "no thanks" would've sufficed.
Why am I paying for your third home?
says...
9:20am Sun 31 May 09
Come on BFP - this is really ridiculous. If you wrote up every minor thing that happens on the campaign trail as "news", you'd never publish anything else.
Punchy
says...
10:07am Sun 31 May 09
Do you hold down a proper job by the way?
Red Snow
says...
11:25am Sun 31 May 09
Steve Totteridge Hill
says...
10:40pm Sun 31 May 09
Red Snow wrote:Any of the money pinching bar stewards would do! There needs to be a system that sticks hot pokers up their arses and allow it to cool before the public can say now we've been fair...NOW pay it all back.
I do wish they would come to my door .... especially a Labour MP!!!!
Thank you the telegraph!
Voyeur
says...
7:40am Mon 1 Jun 09
Even Peers in the House of Lords we now find out.
Let's face it the whole parliamentary system is filled with cheats and crooks.
How do they ever pass any laws when they flout the rules so much themselves?
wycombenewbie says...
9:30am Sat 30 May 09