LIB DEM WELCOMES 2-HORSE RACE (Hexham Liberal Democrats)

Hexham Liberal Democrats <info@hexhamlibdems.org.uk>

LIB DEM WELCOMES 2-HORSE RACE

November 22, 2008 12:00 AM

Andrew Duffield

Local Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Andrew Duffield, has congratulated Hexham Conservatives over their surprise selection of a Wiltshire-based barrister and an amateur jump-jockey as the new Tory challenger for the Northumberland constituency.

Speaking after a meeting of Ponteland Liberal Democrats on Saturday, Mr Duffield said: "The surge in Lib Dem support at the last general election and Labour's subsequent electoral collapse has made Hexham a clear 2-horse race between the Tories and ourselves.

"By saddling-up a southern lawyer with no obvious links to our area, let alone the North East, the Conservatives have decided to ride recklessly close to the rails," he observed.

Mr Duffield continued: "The Conservatives' choice for Hexham managed to loose 2.8% of the Tory vote when he last stood in the Welsh constituency of Caernarfon, where he also managed to move them backwards from 3rd to 4th place - beaten by the Liberal Democrats!

"With a track record like that, local Conservatives can be assured that Hexham Liberal Democrats are already closing fast - and are ready to unseat them!"

Referencing the Tory candidate's privileged educational background, Andrew Duffield quipped: "It's a long way from the playing fields of Harrow to the pavements of Prudhoe and the hills around Haltwhistle, but I'm sure that local Tories will give their chap a map. He may even find his way up here occasionally!"