The writ for the Henley by-election will be moved shortly, allowing polling to take place on 26 June. Boris Johnson, the MP, is standing down after winning the race to become Mayor of London. Although he enjoyed a majority of 12,793 at the last election, the Liberal Democrats were in second place. With Labour in trouble, the by-election looks like being a straight fight between the Tories and LibDems. Labour is confident - of losing its deposit.
Lord Rennard, the LibDems' by-election guru, will be camped in Henley for the duration and is not a man to underestimate. He believes the seat is winnable. It's quite an important contest for Nick Clegg: victory would silence the low-level but audible grumbling about him in his own party. But it won't be easy. The LibDems don't expect the sort of backlash that sometimes occurs when an MP deserts his constituents as Johnson remains popular there. The Tories hope a short, sharp contest will prevent their main rival gaining momentum. (But Labour thought that it Crewe and look what happened). The Tories also want to avoid a clash with the Henley Royal Regatta the following week, which would not play well locally. "We're hoping for jolly voting weather," quips my Tory mole.
Like others in Oxfordshire, I'm sensing that it's time for a change in Henley. Every weekend the Liberal Democrats have been out and about talking to residents whilst the Tories have done nothing so far. I know I'm not the only person thinking this in Oxfordshire.
Posted by: Joe | Wednesday, 04 June 2008 at 11:10 AM
The Tories could hardly start campaigning in Henley before Boris gives a date for standing down.
Posted by: Malcolm | Wednesday, 04 June 2008 at 12:03 PM
Give me a break, proper campaigning is year round, not just at election time. The local parties should be out regularly talking to voters and handing out leaflets. If if the MP is too busy there should still be the local party members to get out there and speak to the people.
Posted by: Labourboy | Wednesday, 04 June 2008 at 12:19 PM
Henley constituency is not nearly as Conservative as the image of Henley Regatta.
Places like Thame, Berinsfield and Wheatley have lots of the kind of people who might well vote Lib Dem.
Everyone knows Labour can't win.
Posted by: Neil | Wednesday, 04 June 2008 at 12:52 PM
I’ll be campaigning for Ian Parker-Joseph standing for the Libertarian Party, our first election!
Posted by: Michael | Thursday, 05 June 2008 at 11:04 AM