Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood revealed she’s no petrol head this week, despite representing a city with a rich car manufacturing heritage.

But she does have exacting demands when it comes to choosing a motor.

The MP said her car has to get her from A to B, be fairly kind to the environment and, most importantly, have room for all her shoes.

So what does she drive? The politicians’ favourite of course, the hybrid Toyota Prius.

Apparently, the Oxford built Mini, favoured by Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, failed on one of her three criteria... we can’t think which one (the Mini is reliable and has an electric version on trial).

But how will Miss Blackwood dash around the capital?

Let’s hope London’s new ‘Boris bikes’ have a basket big enough for all those heels.

Oxford Lord Mayor John Goddard put in a sterling performance at last week’s inquiry into Oxford’s core strategy – the council’s blueprint for new homes and job sites for the next two decades.

The Lib Dem had plenty to say about the inadequacy of employment data and the level of details released by developers.

But on the final morning of the four day hearing, Mr Goddard had to be given special dispensation to make his closing statement early as he had a pressing Mayoral engagement to attend.

So what was the civic duty that dragged him away from the important planning inquiry?

The opening of a food and wine festival at Oxford Castle.

Luckily for Mr Goddard, planning inspector Stephen Pratt found in favour of his request – even adding his own endorsement of Oxford’s restaurant scene.

Only time will tell if Mr Pratt is as enamoured of the city’s housing and office block plans.

His report is due later this autumn.

Wantage MP Ed Vaizey has been cutting a dash this week as the newly appointed Minister of Fashion – representing the industry is part of his ministerial duties at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

Speaking ahead of London Fashion Week on his DCMS blog, Mr Vaizey said the British fashion industry was worth some £37bn and added: “If we want to represent the success of British industry in future, we don’t need to go to a car factory. We just need to put on some clothes.”

Oxford folk might argue with the minister on that point.

But people in Didcot already know he has impeccable taste – Mr Vaizey sported a Didcot Town FC tie when he made his maiden speech to the house in 2005.

The MP is now The Railwaymen’s club president.

City Lib Dems experienced the trappings of power this week at the party’s annual conference in Liverpool – they were trapped in queues.

Security had been stepped up for the three day talking shop at Merseyside’s Echo Arena.

With the party back in Government after a 90-year hiatus, the increased checks will have come as a shock to regular conference-goers.

Oxford city councillor Jean Fooks was caught in the queues on Tuesday morning and quipped: “This is what happens when you have a deputy Prime Minister”. Let’s hope it was worth it.