Howard's Poll Panic

Conservative leader Michael Howard has been forced to change his election plans to meet the Lib Dem threat in his own Parliamentary seat.

The Conservatives have announced that Mr Howard will spend more time in his Folkestone & Hythe Constituency during the election in what some journalists have said is an attempt to save his seat.

Lib Dem campaigner Peter Carroll said, "It is virtually unheard of for a major party leader to take this amount of time off the national campaign in order to fight his own seat. It shows the panic that is starting to engulf the Conservative campaign."

Flying in

The Conservatives have also announced that Mr Howard will be travelling via helicopter during the election.

This is the same method used by Conservative Party Chairman Chris Patten when he lost his seat to the Lib Dems in the 1992 General Election.

Peter Carroll said, "Taking a few trips to our area in a helicopter during the election will not impress local people. They want an MP who will stand up for our area all year round."

Press interest

Several national newspapers are already taking an interest in the election campaign in our area. The story of Michael Howard's defeat could be the biggest of the election night.

Peter Carroll said, "It is clear that we are heading for a close finish at the election here. Just a few votes could separate Mr Howard and the Lib Dems."