When this election campaign started, Norwich South was considered to be a challenging contest. With a popular enough, rather rebellious MP in Charles Clarke, an ambitious Green campaign (their second target seat nationally) and a significant, if not decisive, residual Conservative vote, this falls into the category of potential four-way marginal, with the big question, can anyone gain credence as the best placed candidate to defeat Labour?
Simon Wright, our candidate, has been working incredibly hard for some time now, having been selected early in the election cycle, and has been the focus of a serious campaign effort. However, the poll released indicating that support was split in the ratio 2:1:1:1 (Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Green) was a bit of a blow, regardless of whether or not it reflected reality.
That poll, commissioned by, of all people, the University of East Anglia Students Union (who paid for that, ladies and gentlemen?), was condemned by the Greens, who clearly thought that it understated their support. It may well have been inaccurate, but we'll never know.
Since then of course, there's been the much-reported surge in Liberal Democrat support. And so it was with much curiosity that I turned up in New Costessey (leave out the 'ste' if you're trying to pronounce it) to do some canvassing with Simon. New Costessey is thought of as being a good area of support for Liberal Democrats, but I was pleasantly surprised by the response, with people stopping us in the street to ask for a poster or to declare support.
So, all bets are off in Norwich South, and Charles Clarke can feel the breathe of the Liberal Democrats on his neck. If you're in the area, and can lend a hand for a few hours, get in touch - they'll be glad to see you. Here's an invitation for you to watch...
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