TORY leader Michael Howard breezed into Tavistock in what was in effect the opening salvo of West Devon?s general election campaign. Mr Howard, with a posse of minders, party activists and media people in his wake, toured the pannier market, glad-handing shoppers and traders and introducing the party?s prospective candidate Geoffrey Cox. First port of call on Mr Howard?s flying visit was the famous Country Cheeses shop where he chatted to staff and customers. ?Where?s your lovely wife?? asked one shopper, referring to Mrs Sandra Howard, who was a famous fashion model in the 1960s. ?I?m old enough to remember seeing her picture in magazines.? ?She?s coming down later,? said Mr Howard then he popped into Odds and Suds to soak up more welcomes before entering the pannier market. A sign of the battle ahead came when he introduced himself to shopper Winifred Bond, 92. She shook his hand, looked him in the eye, and said: ?I don?t vote for you ? I?m a Liberal.? But she added: ?I wish you all the best.? Market trader John Cave asked Mr Howard why questions are never clearly answered at Prime Minister?s Questions in the House of Commons. ?That?s a very good question,? said Mr Howard, laughing. Traders clicked cameras and shoppers squeezed through the entourage. Some shoppers gladly accepted Mr Howard?s outstretched hand, but the body language of others suggested they would prefer to avoid the welcome. He was guaranteed a warm response from Bramwell and Jill Hughes ? Mr Hughes is chairman of Lamerton Conservatives. Outside Duke?s café, Ian and Gan Ross shook Mr Howard?s hand. ?It?s a bad day for us in the country,? said Mr Ross, referring to the previous night?s Commons vote to ban hunting. Mr Ross is a former chairman of the Spooners and West Dartmoor Hunt. Then the Tory leader came face to face with wildlife in the shape of ?Fire?, a fierce-looking African Eagle perched on the arm of David Buncle, of West Country Falcons. The eagle?s face is deepest red. Mr Buncle told Mr Howard the shade of red showed whether ?Fire? ?fancies you or is about to pounce?. ?Can you tell which?? said Mr Howard, cautiously eyeing the stern bird of prey. Mr Cox moved closer to ?Fire? for a photograph and the bird suddenly gave a dramatic showing of its six-foot wing span. Mr Cox jumped smartly back. ?These are the occupational hazards of being a parliamentary candidate, Geoffrey,? said the unflappable Mr Howard.
