Harding’s campaign gets national coverage on the Today programme

Monica Harding’s general election campaign had a prime slot on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Tuesday morning.

Highlighting that Esher and Walton has become a serious target for the Lib Dems – and that the Lib Dems are the leading contender – the Beeb’s political correspondent Ross Hawkins headed to the constituency: “This isn’t the sort of turf that usually worries Conservatives or excites their opponents,” he began, then introducing Harding and how she hopes to “spring the surprise of the election”.

Harding explained that “we want to stop Brexit and we are the explicitly remain party in this election” before acknowledging that she is a “rookie” on Twitter.

Hawkins also spoke to Dominic Raab, who talked about the Lib Dem strategy and dismissed Harding’s chances: “There will not be some great [voting] stitch-up in Esher and Walton – and if there is, the voters will see right through it.”

The Labour Party, who are yet to declare a candidate, had spokesman Robert Evans saying they’re fighting hard in Esher and Walton while acknowledging they came sixth in the European elections and have no current councillors.

Finally, the Brexit Party’s Axel Thill was more intent on attacking Harding and appeared reluctant to criticise the incumbent, whom he perceives as an ally: “Dominic Raab is a good Brexiteer. He is not maybe the best foreign minister. But what [Harding] wants is to offer the sovereignty of the UK to Brussels.”

Hawkins finished the piece saying: “Rookies can win of course. Candidates can guess or hope but none of them know whether this is any less safe a slice of Tory England than normal.”