I'd intended visiting Harrow this afternoon but have to saunter towards the Tower instead. Why? Wouldn't you like to know? Tonight, the Mayor and the Assembly are holding a People's Question Time at Harrow school. The timing of this appearance by Britain's best-loved Conservative will delight local Tory activists, who must be in champing expectation of victory: as well as being odds-on to retain control of the borough, both Labour-held seats are on the blue hit list. Who picks the times and locations for these "people's" events?
Top target of the two constituencies has to be Tony McNulty's Harrow East. Not only is the former henchman of gruesome, tabloid-pleaser Home Secretary John Reid defending a small majority, he also has the legacy of his expenses mess working against him. And what a mess it was. "In the end it'll be for my constituents and the electorate to determine what my future will be," he told GMTV. His main opponent is former Assembly Member Bob Blackman. He's had his own local difficulties but you've got to fancy his chances anyway.
In Harrow West, the depressingly obedient Gareth Thomas looks more secure - he's number 179 on the Tory hit list - but NHS doctor Rachel Joyce has been blogging and slimming at the same time which, given that my weight has recently soared to an unimpressive life-time record of 12 stone five pounds, impresses me as the mark of a formidable individual. Sometimes I think the Tories deserve their turn in power. For shame.
Update: 21:03 Just made the acquaintance of a very fine Harrow-based blogger and tweeter.
