Tories hoping for by-election coup

by Dave Keating | May 21, 2008 at 11:13 pm

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Today is the big day in Crewe here in the UK. A by-election in this traditional Labour stronghold is set to be a bellweather for whether Gordon Brown will be able to reverse his declining fortunes. If the Tories win here today, something they haven't done in decades, it will likely send Labour into a panic. If Labour wins, Gordon Brown may be able to reverse his sinking fortunes and restore confidence in his leadership.

The Tories are on the brink of their first by-election victory over Labour in three decades as the Crewe and Nantwich battle reaches its climax.

With polls indicating another ballot box kicking for Gordon Brown, some believe the Conservatives could even end up with a comfortable majority of 7,000.

Anything approaching that figure would be seen as disastrous for the Prime Minister, and a sign that voters want to punish his party for the faltering economy and botched 10p tax rate abolition.

However, there was a glimmer of hope for Labour on Wednesday night when the Tories suffered their first real glitch of the campaign. Officials accidentally emailed a radio station with personal information about more than 8,000 key voters, including their names, addresses, telephone numbers and financial status.

Cabinet Office Minister Ed Miliband wrote to David Cameron urging him to issue an immediate apology to those whose security could have been compromised. The Daily Mirror also reported that the Information Commissioner would be launching a probe into the incident.