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“Right, gentleather around, because the time has come to determine the order in which you will speak” He held out a fist that gripped three straws of differing lengths Fisher drew the short one, while Fletcher pulled out the longest one

“You have first choice, Mr Fletcher,” said the chairman

The Liberal candidate cocked his head to one side and whispered to Giles, “Where do you want o?”

“Second,” Giles replied

“I’ll go second,” said Fletcher Fisher looked surprised

“And you, Sir Giles? First or last?”

“Last, thank you, chairman”

“Right, that’s settled You’ll be speaking first, Major Fisher Let’s put our heads above the parapet”

He led the three candidates out onto the stage, and it was the only ti that the whole audience applauded Giles looked out into the auditoriuoing doo thousand lions had been waiting patiently for the Christians to appear

He wished he’d stayed at ho supper on a tray in front of the TV; anywhere but here But he always felt like that, even when he addressed the slanced across at Fisher to see a bead of sweat appearing on his forehead, which he quickly mopped with a handkerchief from his top pocket He looked back at the audience and saw E up at him

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,News It’s , which is the only occasion on which all three candidates will appear on the same platform Now, allow me to explain how the debate will be conducted Each candidate willaddress of six minutes That will be followed by thirtywill end with all three candidates su up for two minutes each I will now call upon the Conservative candidate, Major Alex Fisher, to address us”

Fisher reeted arm applause from one section of the audience He placed his speech on the lectern and ian to read it word for word, only occasionally raising his head

Giles sat nervously in his seat listening carefully as he waited for the sarcastic comment, the barbed innuendo, but none caislation would be treated as a priority if the Tories for out a shopping list that he regularly interspersed with the words “Tie” At no point did he mention either of his opponents And then Giles worked out what Fisher was up to He was not going to indulge in any personal attacks himself; that would be left to his lieutenants, spread evenly throughout the audience When Fisher returned to his seat, it was not difficult to spot where those supporters were seated from their enthusiastic applause

The Liberal candidate opened his speech by thanking the packed audience for giving up Coronation Street to cohter and war local politics, everything from potholes in the roads to rural bus fares When he returned to his seat, another section of the audience was equally loyal and supportive

Once Fletcher had sat down, Giles walked to the center of the stage, although he wasn’t as relaxed as he hoped he looked He placed a postcard on the lectern on which were typed seven headings: Education, Unemployment, Unions, the NHS, Europe, Defense, and Bristol