I was only twenty-four minutes from Rushden...

In the car and off across the country once again, this time to Northampton North.

The sun is shining and all is well, and before long we are in the East Midlands. Suddenly, realisation dawns. I am near Rushden, where Rushden and Diamonds are at home to my beloved Luton Town in the last regular fixture of the Blue Square Premiership. The result doesn't matter too much, in that both sides are guaranteed a play-off slot, but it might be nice to look in. Liberal Democrats or Luton Town... what to do?

But my loyalty to the Party kicks in, and besides, Ros is driving, so I'd be a bit stranded if I took in some football. And so both of us arrive in Northampton, where we are greeted by our candidate, Andrew Simpson. Ros is in work mode, and there is a journalist who wants to talk to her, so I drink tea and talk campaign stuff before we head off to do some canvassing.

One voter tells me that he has always voted Conservative in the past, but can't bring himself to vote for any of the three main parties this time. Immigration is his issue, and he'll probably vote UKIP or BNP. Usually, that would be a sign to beat a hasty exit, but he's very polite, so we talk a little more. I touch on our immigration policy, but he takes the view that whilst there are people without jobs here, we should stop inward migration. Indeed, he thinks that we should force the unemployed to take jobs, whether they fancy them or not. And yet, he thanks me for taking the trouble to call upon him, and says that he likes us, that we're a nice bunch, but he can't vote for us. I did try...

We reach the park, where Andrew and Ros will meet and talk to voters enjoying the sunshine, whilst other supporters hand out Liberal Democrat balloons. The kids playing in the park see their opportunity, and the balloons are soon heading off in different directions. Two of them, however, are taken by two young black guys, who don't look like the type to drag balloons with them. They wander off though, and we see them a little later, still holding their balloons, demonstrating that you should never presume anything. Any similarity to a David Cameron anecdote is unintended - my story is accurate!

We are then driven to an Indian restaurant for a snack and coffee with Northamptonshire Liberal Youth, who are the crack troops of the campaign, before retiring for a quiet evening. The next three days will be very busy, and we'll need our wits about us...