Bede By-election campaigning

8.28.03pm GMT Sat 20th Jan 2007

Alice Field, Liberal Democrat Candidate in the Bede by-election

Today I was in Bedworth to help Alice Field, the Liberal Democrat candidate in the forthcoming Bede by-election. It was a Labour held seat until the Councillor resigned, I am certain from the canvassing I did that Labour have lost the seat (and therefore the Council!). I don't think I have ever had such a high proportion of previous Labour voters tell me they will never vote Labour again. Not one cited the Iraq War, Peerages for loans, Tony Blair or any other national issues - they virtually all said the local Labour Councillors and the MP did not care about them, didn't take up issues and did not keep in touch.

Alice has an excellent chance of taking the seat in a seven-cornered fight, apart from Alice there are candidates from the Labour and Conservative parties, UKIP, the BNP, the English Democrats and a Independent running on a save the hospital/NHS platform. Residents of one road had the surreal experience of being canvassed by us and the BNP whilst the Conservatives were delivering.

In the afternoon Lorely Burt, Solihull's Liberal Democrat MP came over to help. I always think it is nice when the region's MPs help in by-elections, Lorely is also an excellent campaigning so I sure gave the campaign a real boost.

Related Link:

Visit Bedworth Liberal Democrats' website