Labour admit the Lib Dems could win Hampstead and Highgate

10.25.25pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 20th Apr 2005

Ed is joined by Ed Davey and neighboring Lib Dem MP, Sarah Teather to campaign in Camden.

In this general election the Liberal Democrats are making a massive effort that seeks to beat the Labour Party. All the evidence suggests that more and more local people, angry at Tony Blair and the war in Iraq, are turning to the Liberal Democrats.

The Labour Party and the sitting Labour MP have confessed how close the contest is. Their latest leaflet, a small full colour flier, has a bar chart showing the state of the parties as being:

Labour 26%

Conservatives 26%

Liberal Democrats 25%

Based on the experience of most people in the vast majority of Hampstead and Highgate the campaign from the Liberal Democrats is the most vigorous and active.

Ed Fordham says "I am delighted that Labour have confirmed that we are just 1% behind them and are placed to win. This is certainly what I have found on the doorstep and over the coming days and remaining weeks we will be moving up a gear. Be very clear - we have one objective which is to win.

"Everyone seems to accept that Michael Howard's Conservative Party will not form the next Government. It is clear that the Conservatives cannot win in Hampstead and Highgate. They slipped 2% in the 2001 General Election and are set to go back into third place in this election.

"With the support of local residents the Liberal Democrats will win. Now that would send Tony Blair a message he would be unable to ignore."