Political rivals join up for Welwyn Hatfield charity cycle

POLITICALLY, Tory MP Grant Shapps and Labour parliamentary candidate Mike Hobday might be going in different directions. But last weekend they were certainly going the same way. For the rivals put their political differences to one side and joined forces

POLITICALLY, Tory MP Grant Shapps and Labour parliamentary candidate Mike Hobday might be going in different directions.

But last weekend they were certainly going the same way.

For the rivals put their political differences to one side and joined forces to take part in the Mixed Group's annual 10-mile sponsored cycle ride - on a tandem.

Mr Hobday said: "It's the closest I've ever been to Grant! In the beginning he went on the front of the tandem turning right to start. Yet I was in the front on the return and we finished on a left turn."

He joked: "This is how I would like to see politics in Welwyn Hatfield go!

"We had a terrific time, but my legs turned to jelly halfway through!"

Mr Hobday added it was important to put politics to one side for a charity event. "This is far more important than day-to-day arguments. This is something to make people's lives better and at Christmas," he said.

Mr Shapps agreed, saying: "I think there are times you have to join together and do important things for the community and helping charities is one of those.

"It was a pleasure to do."

More than �2,500 was raised by the 16 participants and other donators for the WGC-based charity, which provides a Christmas Day dinner for the elderly and lonely.