8:58pm Monday 12th April 2010
By Adam Binnie
Tony Robinson appeared at Watford Trade Union Hall tonight, to help incumbent MP Claire Ward officially launch her re-election campaign.
The actor and television presenter, famous for his appearance as Baldrick in the comedy series Blackadder, and more recently the historical documentary Time Team, spoke to the full hall in Woodford Road.
“Claire is a mate of mine,” he said “I've got an enormous amount of respect for her, and she's a real human being. I only campaign for people if I can convince my mum to vote for.
“Real politics takes place in the constituencies, school governors, neighbourhood watch, trade unions, that is what politics really is.
“This is an extremely exciting election, we can talk politics, rather than slagging off people which is all rather tedious.
“If I can help in any way then I will. On our own we can do diddly squat, together we can move mountains.”
Mr Robinson left to travel to Leicester, where he was filming for Time Team, and added that he hoped that the next time he came to Watford it would be for a football match.
“I'm hoping to see Watford play my team, Bristol City. We're like old lovers, we meet up and have an, intense relationship and then go our separate ways.”
MP Claire Ward outlined her campaign message, and gave her support to the Watford Health Campus.
“I'm determined we are going to see that hospital built, that hospital that we campaigned so hard for. I will not rest until they start to build the Watford Health Campus.”
Ms Ward also supported the Labour manifesto, in particular the extension to paternity leave for fathers, for toddler tax credit, and for stronger anti-social behaviour legislation.
She added: “I'm delighted to see so many of you tonight, when I was first elected this room was only half-full, so I'm actually expecting my majority to increase on May 6.”
Watford Liberal Democrats also held a meeting to formally adopt Sal Brinton as their candidate for the General Election at St Luke's Church.
The guest speaker was Simon Hughes, an MP since 1983, and a former President of the Liberal Democrats.
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