Hartlepool by-election... in October or November

[Democratic Hawk]

Iain Wright is the best candidate for Labour and has the local credentials, which still way heavily in the North-East.

I'm from Durham and I've been helping out in Hartlepool. I think Labour will hold the seat with a reduced majority on a substantially low turnout.

Come the General Election, the closest fight in the region will be between Labour and the Lib Dems in the City of Durham (a seat my party has held since 1935; though, it was marginal during the 1980s). Labour came out on top - just - in the recent European Elections by about 500 votes and the Lib Dems gained control of the City Council in 2003.

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

Ben - did you get my e.mail re Hartlepool?

Al - Gerry Steinberg is retiring. CLP selected Roberta Blackman-Woods a Belfast-born academic from an all women shortlist. She defeated ex-Mayor Councillor Eileen Rochford.

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

Should be going up on Tuesday... will report back Friday or Saturday.

Are you in England now Ben?

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

Thanks for details of that poll Ben. I'm beginning to think I'm too encrosed in US politics to have noticed.

The Hartlepool Labour Party picked a sound local candidate and I think this poll reflects that.

Dave

P.S. Haven't managed to get to Hartlepool lately.

[Democratic Hawk]

I'm quietly confident that Labour will hold Hartlepool. I just hope Labour are doing to some good old fashioned door knocking to get their vote out.

Apathy is the greatest threat to Labour.

I'd have been there myself but pops is in hospital.

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

I'm quietly confident that Labour will hold Hartlepool. I just hope Labour are doing to some good old fashioned door knocking to get their vote out.

Apathy is the greatest threat to Labour.

I'd have been there myself but pops is in hospital.

Dave

What's the weather like?

Not sure about Hartlepool but Durham's OK. A few spots of rain earlier on but nothing drenching.

Dave