Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey believes Bicester and Woodstock has become a "target for the Liberal Democrats" and described the new constituency as an "exciting seat". 

Sir Ed tried his hand at woodwork and repairing at Bicester Green as he brought his campaign tour of the country to Bicester today, joined by Liberal Democrat candidate for Bicester and Woodstock, Calum Miller.

The aim of the visit was to highlight the importance of green solutions to the cost of living crisis and to meet with supporters.

Sir Ed Davey was shown how to repair items by volunteersSir Ed Davey was shown how to repair items by volunteers (Image: Image: Newsquest)

Oxfordshire is currently split into six parliamentary constituencies but this is soon to become seven with the addition of the new Bicester and Woodstock voting area.

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New candidates hoping to win a seat in Bicester and Woodstock are the Conservatives' Rupert Harrison, Labour's Veronica Oakeshott, Lib Dems' Calum Miller, Greens' Ian Middleton and Reform UK's Augustine Obodo.

Mr Miller praised the repair shop and said: "Bicester Green is a wonderful local community organisation social enterprise, and as we are in national volunteer week it just seemed like a great opportunity to combine both of those things to celebrate the volunteers here who are giving their time and expertise to work for the community.

"So it’s a bit of fun, but also a chance to highlight those two really important things."

Sir Ed Davey tried his hand at woodwork, taught by a volunteer at Bicester GreenSir Ed Davey tried his hand at woodwork, taught by a volunteer at Bicester Green (Image: Image: Newsquest)

Sir Ed said: "I was learning a lot to be honest.

"It’s great to see so many volunteers and people getting involved in reusing things, and to have a local shop like this where you can take items in and get it mended, it’s just brilliant.

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"I think that’s the message of wanting to re-use things more so we can be a more sustainable society."

He was also shown how to repair a bike chain and used the refill station - which he paid for. 

Sir Ed was also shown how to repair a bikeSir Ed was also shown how to repair a bike (Image: Image: Newsquest)

Sir Ed used the refill stationSir Ed used the refill station (Image: Image: Newsquest)

Whilst there he was also grilled by national media, which comes the day after he was been fined for speeding after being caught doing 73mph in a 60mph zone on the M1 motorway.

Speaking on Bicester and Woodstock becoming a new constituency, Sir Ed seemed optimistic: "It’s become a target for the Lib Dems - it's an exciting seat, and is one of the reasons I'm here - I'm tempted to go to areas where it's clear the Liberal Democrats could win."

Mr Miller also seemed positive about the new constituency: "It’s a great opportunity for our area to be represented better in parliament and I think a new seat provides that opportunity.

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"Speaking for myself, right off the back of some great local elections for the Lib Dems, and having the first Liberal Democrat leader at Cherwell District Council, we’re optimistic."

Sir Ed also defended the recent publicity stunts of falling off a paddleboard at lake Windemere and going on a slip and slide, saying: "I strongly believe that politicians need to take the interests of voters very seriously, but they don't need to take themselves quite so seriously."

He said the paddleboard stunt was him making a point about the "sewage scandal", and the slip and slide was to make a point about the "mental health crisis".