Voters showing support for Andrew Duffield and Nick Clegg (Hexham Liberal Democrats)

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

Voters showing support for Andrew Duffield and Nick Clegg

April 24, 2010 9:44 PM

Andrew Duffield meeting supporters outside Hexham Abbey (with Lib Dem county councillor Derek Kennedy and campaigner Philip Latham)

Visiting the main Tynedale towns of Hexham, Prudhoe and Haltwhistle today there was a clear surge in support for both Liberal Democrat candidate Andrew Duffield and the party leader Nick Clegg. As well as support from those who have previously voted Lib Dem, residents who have traditionally supported Labour or the Tories were indicating that they would be voting Liberal Democrat on May 6th.

With the Liberal Democrats now clearly ahead of Labour, many of their supporters see this as a golden opportunity to oust the Tories from this once safe seat by voting Liberal Democrat. However, support also came from angry Tory voters who are disappointed that the party are seeking to impose a candidate from outside the region.

Andrew Duffield at Hexham Abbey Hustings with rival candidates

The performance of Nick Clegg in the TV leadership interviews has made a big impact. Many formerly undecided voters were expressing support for the Liberal Democrats. There was also anger at the suggestion by David Cameron, during the interview with Jeremy Paxman last night, that the Tories would seek to make cuts in expenditure by slashing public sector jobs in the North-East of England.

Several people who had attended the Hustings at Hexham Abbey on Thursday evening also approached Andrew to express support. During the debate Andrew answered a series of questions put to him, and the other main candidates, on issues ranging from the economy, education, health, nuclear weapons, local issues etc.