Some cheers and boos for Dominic Raab and some *very* big cheers for his Lib Dep opponent in Esher and a Walton...
Solid Labour crowd here though. If there’s any chance at all of unseating Raab they essentially all would have to vote Lib Dem.
So many people at the hustings tonight, there are those queuing outside not allowed in.
It’s all kicking off in East Molesey
Remember when Surrey was genteel?
No room in the church for the hustings event. Dozens still outside. Changing: “LET US IN!”, including the family of Harry Dunn who want to speak to Dominic Raab. 
“I’m not left wing, I’m not right wing, I’m a ‘centralist’. And I still voted for Brexit” says the independent candidate Kylie Keens. “And I have more European friends than I do British ones” she says.
God I love a general election.
God I love a general election.
Labour candidate Peter Ashurst: “you can’t just ignore the votes of 17 million people, it’s anti democratic.”
Lady from the audience: “it was 16.8!”
I mean it was neither but this is gold.
Lady from the audience: “it was 16.8!”
I mean it was neither but this is gold.
Full radicalised remainer contingent on display in Surrey tonight. Mention of the referendum- met almost instantly by screams of “it was ADVISORY!” And “based on lies!” and “Russia!” from the crowd.
Someone has left to allow Harry Dunn’s father into the event but apparently security aren’t allowing him in.
Raab on govt income tax policy
The independent Kylie Keens keeps referring to Raab as “Dominique”. She also starts every answer with “as an accountant” for which she is now getting screamed at to “SHUT UP” by the audience.
I love my country.
I love my country.
The chair, a Methodist vicar, has reminded us there are two other candidates in the election for Esher and Walton, including Baron Badger, from the Monster Raving Loony Party, who was unavailable tonight.
Honestly there’s nothing on the telly tonight as good as this
Sorry @skynewsniall
Raab trying to explain the 50,000 nurses figure. Hall wasn’t entirely satisfied.
Theresa May is mentioned: “Who? Who!?” Shouts the crowd
independent candidate answers question about the NHS with “I went to hospital earlier this year...”
“What a shame!” comes the reply
independent candidate answers question about the NHS with “I went to hospital earlier this year...”
“What a shame!” comes the reply
Dominic Raab starts answer with reference to Paddy Ashdown
“Well he’s dead!” comes the reply
“Well he’s dead!” comes the reply
Supporter of Harry Dunn’s family complains they haven’t been allowed in. All hell breaks lose.
“You will not look down on the people of Esher and Walton again!” the Labour candidate Peter Ashurst bellows to Dominic Raab and the crowd goes wild.
Raab tries to sum up. Is asked to address the question of foodbanks in Esher Waitrose. Then says “our vision isn’t a Nigel Farage little England vision.”
“Oh yes it is!”
People are taking this Christmas general election seriously.
“Oh yes it is!”
People are taking this Christmas general election seriously.
To be fair to Raab, he acquitted himself pretty well. He didn’t have to do these hustings where he knew there would be a hostile crowd. He’s doing another too.
There were some there who were first time Lib Dems. Mostly v active partisans including lots of loyal Tories too,
There were some there who were first time Lib Dems. Mostly v active partisans including lots of loyal Tories too,
Big Labour phalanx too. So hard for Lib Dems to actually go final mile and beat him without every ounce of their support. Suspect it won’t come.
What was most striking about it was the tone. This is Surrey. Leafy, privet hedge trimming, long shadows on cricket pitches Surrey. The politics was as raw as you’d find anywhere. Packed to the rafters. 200 outside denied entry. The Home Counties have been radicalised.
One of the church wardens told me they had a similar event in 2015. They said they only filled half the room. Politics has transformed the invincible green suburbs.
I can’t see the Lib Dems being able to penetrate this bit of the “blue wall”. It’s v thick. But the fact there is such enthusiasm and excitement about it, that it might even be in doubt shows how potentially competitive they might be elsewhere. Don’t write them off in the south.
On a separate note, Harry Dunn’s father who wasn’t allowed in to the hustings (at capacity) told me afterwards he believes he has been lied to by Dominic Raab and the govt. They say they’ve been told to “wait and see”. Said he’d tried to talk to Raab tonight but he refused.
