Conservative Party leader Rishi Sunak visited Oxfordshire on Monday as part of his campaign ahead of the general election, scheduled for Thursday, July 4. His tour included stops in Wantage and Henley, where he engaged with local residents and participated in community activities.
Sunak Visits Wantage Town FC
A key highlight of the Prime Minister’s visit to Wantage was a stop at Wantage Town Football Club. There, he met staff and players, toured the pitch, and was hosted by the club’s first-ever chairwoman, Lesley Furnival.
During the visit, female players aged 12 to 15 had the chance to ask Mr. Sunak a range of questions. One lighthearted topic revealed his go-to Nando’s order—a half-chicken meal, medium spice, with broccoli and chips. He also shared his fondness for boneless chicken thighs.
When asked about his preferred football club, Mr. Sunak expressed his loyalty to Southampton, which has recently ascended to the Premier League. Adding to the football theme, he named “When The Saints Go Marching In,” a Southampton anthem, as his current favorite tune.
Musical Interests
Beyond football, music became a topic of conversation. Mr. Sunak shared that he’s currently exploring country music and is particularly enjoying “The Cowboy In Me” by Tim McGraw. While the discussion briefly touched on Taylor Swift, the Prime Minister humorously remarked that he likely doesn’t qualify as a “Swiftie.” When asked to sing for the team, he opted out, explaining that he needed to preserve his voice for an election debate.
Casual Conversations and Football Practice
The visit wasn’t all politics and policy. Mr. Sunak shared an amusing confession of sneaking through the halls of No. 10 Downing Street in his pyjamas and spoke about his passion for batting in cricket nets. He also joined the young players in a football drill, passing the ball as they practiced their goal-scoring skills. Conservative candidate David Johnston, standing for Didcot and Wantage, accompanied the Prime Minister during this engaging session.
Photobomb in Henley
Earlier in the day, while addressing Henley residents, Mr. Sunak’s public appearance was disrupted by a boat carrying Liberal Democrat supporters, including deputy party leader Daisy Cooper. The group photobombed the Prime Minister during his speech, creating a light-hearted moment amid the campaign trail.
Explore Wantage and Surrounding Areas
As the general election draws near, there’s never been a better time to connect with the local community and explore Wantage’s offerings. Whether you’re looking for local pubs and restaurants, community clubs and societies, or even travel agents, our directory can guide you. Local businesses can create a free business profile or add upcoming events to our events page.
Stay engaged with the local community and don’t forget to participate in the upcoming election to make your voice heard.
