But in all reality it was a virtual love fest for Joyce at the Railway Tavern with 99 percent of the punters in the main bar saying they will back Barnaby on July 2.

The Deputy Prime Minister accompanied by his wife Natalie comfortably mingled with punters and talked about what matters to Glen Innes voters.

“I am here in Glen Innes and it was great to talk to some of the workers who are building the $400 million dollar wind farm at Glen Innes and to also talk with some people after they have finished work,” he said.

“I think having a beer with people is a good idea, I do things like this all the time I have done it all the way through my political career.

“I like to see people when they are relaxed and I get to hear what they are really thinking and then I take that back to Canberra.”

There was no shortage of punters ready to have a beer with Barnaby  and to let him know they think he is doing a good job.

Patrick Neff from Glen Innes said he will be voting for Barnaby on July 2.

“Barnaby stands for the regional people and he is really good at that, and that’s it, he has my vote,” he said.

Allan Fletcher said he will vote for Barnaby because he does not like what Tony Windsor did when he was the local member.

“I’ll be voting for Barnaby because I trust what he is doing, “he said.

“I don’t like what Windsor did when he was in. so Barnaby is my man.”

However My Joyce did not have it all his own way, there was one sole opponent of his views that was willing to shirtfront him over a beer.

Carol Sparks from the Glen Innes Green Group said she was pleased to be able to share her thoughts with Mr Joyce.

“We discussed renewable energy and employment opportunities in that field in Glen Innes over a beer at the Railway Tavern and it was good to let him know my thoughts,” she said.

Mr Joyce said he is looking forward to representing the New England electorate again after July 2.