Labour campaign in panic

4.23.38pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 3rd May 2005

The Hampstead and Highgate Labour Party is in near panic as the wheels have come off their campaign.

Labour are worried about the scale of the switch that is taking place across the constituency from the Labour Party to Ed Fordham and the Liberal Democrats. The scale of the switch became evident when they released a poll on their leaflet showing the Liberal Democrats on 25% just 1% behind Labour on 26%.

Ed Fordham says "More and more Labour people are telling me that after years of supporting Labour they are breaking their allegiance and voting for the Liberal Democrats - angry about the war in Iraq, angry about Tony Blair's attitude and leadership and angry about the lack of principles.

"Throughout this election I have presented a positive plan of what we would do and what sort of local MP I would be if elected - and I stand by that. it is just perhaps a little sad that faced with a reaction from people Labour are resorting to scare tactics.

"No-one seriously believes that the Conservatives will form the next government and no-one seriously believes that they can win here in this seat this time. All the evidence suggests that hundreds of people are switching to the Liberal Democrats and in the face of this Labour are trying to scare people. Frankly it sums up their whole approach and is a reason as to why they will be in for such a shock on Thursday night when the country's votes are counted."