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Battle for a Lancashire marginal Battle for a Lancashire marginal
(about 1 hour later)
By Chris Mason Political reporter, BBC Radio 5 live, in Nelson Gordon Prentice MP has a slender majority of around 2,000 in Nelson By Chris Mason Political reporter, BBC Radio 5 live, in Nelson Gordon Prentice MP has a slender majority of around 2,000 in Pendle
Stare up at the first floor of an unassuming terraced house in the Lancashire town of Nelson early on a Saturday morning and the lights are on.Stare up at the first floor of an unassuming terraced house in the Lancashire town of Nelson early on a Saturday morning and the lights are on.
The leaflets are stacked precariously high up against the window.The leaflets are stacked precariously high up against the window.
This is the kind of political nerve centre that has to deliver for David Cameron at the general election if he's to be our next prime minister.This is the kind of political nerve centre that has to deliver for David Cameron at the general election if he's to be our next prime minister.
But if you ever needed reminding that politics is an intensely local business, turn around.But if you ever needed reminding that politics is an intensely local business, turn around.
On the other side of the street, the ground floor of an equally unassuming house is the Liberal Democrats' local campaign headquarters.On the other side of the street, the ground floor of an equally unassuming house is the Liberal Democrats' local campaign headquarters.
Campaign leaflets are stacked up there too, equally precariously, and a few hundred yards away, ditto for Labour.Campaign leaflets are stacked up there too, equally precariously, and a few hundred yards away, ditto for Labour.
Polls narrowingPolls narrowing
This is a place of contrasts.This is a place of contrasts.
There is beautiful countryside and industrial heritage. Windswept moors and busy motorways. Vibrant manufacturing and urban blight.There is beautiful countryside and industrial heritage. Windswept moors and busy motorways. Vibrant manufacturing and urban blight.
Politically too, it's a curious mix.Politically too, it's a curious mix.
There's a Labour MP, a Lib Dem borough council, and a county council run by the Conservatives - for the first time in 30 years.There's a Labour MP, a Lib Dem borough council, and a county council run by the Conservatives - for the first time in 30 years.
And with the Tories' lead in the opinion polls narrowing, campaigning here is intensifying.And with the Tories' lead in the opinion polls narrowing, campaigning here is intensifying.
As the Conservatives gathered in Brighton for their spring conference over the weekend, their candidate for Pendle, in east Lancashire, wasn't amongst them.As the Conservatives gathered in Brighton for their spring conference over the weekend, their candidate for Pendle, in east Lancashire, wasn't amongst them.
Andrew Stephenson is standing for the Conservative PartyAndrew Stephenson is standing for the Conservative Party
Andrew Stephenson, 29, traded the Sussex seaside for Lancastrian doorsteps.Andrew Stephenson, 29, traded the Sussex seaside for Lancastrian doorsteps.
Knocking on doors in places like Nelson, Barnoldswick, Earby and Colne took priority over a rather long schlep down south.Knocking on doors in places like Nelson, Barnoldswick, Earby and Colne took priority over a rather long schlep down south.
"I was selected as the candidate back in September 2006," Mr Stephenson says. "I immediately set about getting myself known across the constituency."I was selected as the candidate back in September 2006," Mr Stephenson says. "I immediately set about getting myself known across the constituency.
"Pendle is a very spread out and diverse seat - we have some rather deprived urban areas and we also have some affluent rural areas."Pendle is a very spread out and diverse seat - we have some rather deprived urban areas and we also have some affluent rural areas.
"I attended over 300 community events last year, ranging from church fetes to fun runs across the constituency, so now when I am out and about knocking on doors a lot of people do recognise me and know who I am.""I attended over 300 community events last year, ranging from church fetes to fun runs across the constituency, so now when I am out and about knocking on doors a lot of people do recognise me and know who I am."
Big hittersBig hitters
Mr Stephenson is something of a high flyer in Conservative circles.Mr Stephenson is something of a high flyer in Conservative circles.
He used to be the chair of the shadow chancellor George Osborne's constituency party in Tatton, in Cheshire.He used to be the chair of the shadow chancellor George Osborne's constituency party in Tatton, in Cheshire.
He is also is desperate to win - because so is David Cameron.He is also is desperate to win - because so is David Cameron.
If Mr Stephenson doesn't win here, the chances are Mr Cameron won't win the keys to Downing Street either, and the Tories are throwing everything at the local campaign.If Mr Stephenson doesn't win here, the chances are Mr Cameron won't win the keys to Downing Street either, and the Tories are throwing everything at the local campaign.
Big hitters like William Hague are paying regular visits - he apparently picked up Douglas Hurd's latest tome while shopping in Colne recently.Big hitters like William Hague are paying regular visits - he apparently picked up Douglas Hurd's latest tome while shopping in Colne recently.
I will say to people: do they really believe that constituencies like Pendle are top priority for an incoming Conservative administration? Labour MP Gordon PrenticeI will say to people: do they really believe that constituencies like Pendle are top priority for an incoming Conservative administration? Labour MP Gordon Prentice
George Osborne, shadow defence secretary Liam Fox and Francis Maude, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, have also all dropped by.George Osborne, shadow defence secretary Liam Fox and Francis Maude, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, have also all dropped by.
There is plenty of money behind their campaign too - a full colour newspaper called "Pendle Matters" is being regularly delivered.There is plenty of money behind their campaign too - a full colour newspaper called "Pendle Matters" is being regularly delivered.
The current edition's front page sports no fewer than four beaming mugshots of Andrew Stephenson.The current edition's front page sports no fewer than four beaming mugshots of Andrew Stephenson.
But, curiously, no specific reference to him being the Conservative candidate.But, curiously, no specific reference to him being the Conservative candidate.
BullishBullish
So enter the man who describes himself as the challenger - despite being MP for the area for the past 18 years.So enter the man who describes himself as the challenger - despite being MP for the area for the past 18 years.
Gordon Prentice, 59, currently has a slender majority of about 2,000.Gordon Prentice, 59, currently has a slender majority of about 2,000.
He's a bullish operator, not afraid to defend Labour's record, but not afraid to criticise the government either.He's a bullish operator, not afraid to defend Labour's record, but not afraid to criticise the government either.
He feels outgunned financially by the Conservatives - and his website admits it, with the cyber begging bowl given prime billing.He feels outgunned financially by the Conservatives - and his website admits it, with the cyber begging bowl given prime billing.
"We need your support, please donate", reads the banner across the top of the front page."We need your support, please donate", reads the banner across the top of the front page.
Mr Prentice himself says: "I will say to people: do they really believe that Pendle, and constituencies like Pendle, are top priority for an incoming Conservative administration?Mr Prentice himself says: "I will say to people: do they really believe that Pendle, and constituencies like Pendle, are top priority for an incoming Conservative administration?
"For David Cameron, who represents one of the wealthiest constituencies in Britain, in Witney in Oxfordshire, is it really the case that Pendle - industrial, manufacturing, local income area in the north-west of England - is really going to be his priority? I don't think so.""For David Cameron, who represents one of the wealthiest constituencies in Britain, in Witney in Oxfordshire, is it really the case that Pendle - industrial, manufacturing, local income area in the north-west of England - is really going to be his priority? I don't think so."
For some, that message will resonate.For some, that message will resonate.
In the driving sleet of a late winter's afternoon, one or two determined shoppers at Nelson market made that point.In the driving sleet of a late winter's afternoon, one or two determined shoppers at Nelson market made that point.
But for others, the prospect of change is more appealing.But for others, the prospect of change is more appealing.
WearinessWeariness
At Victory Park, the home of Barnoldswick Town football club, a hardy bunch of dedicated supporters aren't just complaining about their reserve team being thumped by local rivals Colne.At Victory Park, the home of Barnoldswick Town football club, a hardy bunch of dedicated supporters aren't just complaining about their reserve team being thumped by local rivals Colne.
They have no end of gripes about the government too - a weariness the Lib Dems also hope to capitalise on.They have no end of gripes about the government too - a weariness the Lib Dems also hope to capitalise on.
Their candidate Afzal Anwar, 34, has an interesting political strategy.Their candidate Afzal Anwar, 34, has an interesting political strategy.
He's hoping to sweep up the vast majority of ethnic minority voters here, who make up around one in seven of the electorate.He's hoping to sweep up the vast majority of ethnic minority voters here, who make up around one in seven of the electorate.
Lib Dem candidate Afzal Anwar wants to win over ethnic minority votersLib Dem candidate Afzal Anwar wants to win over ethnic minority voters
But he is also appealing to the white working class: "People in the indigenous population tell me 30 or 40 years ago Nelson was very different.But he is also appealing to the white working class: "People in the indigenous population tell me 30 or 40 years ago Nelson was very different.
"Of course it was different. 25 to 30% of the population wasn't Asian then."Of course it was different. 25 to 30% of the population wasn't Asian then.
"And because of that, because we don't go to pubs, that's why our pubs are closing here."And because of that, because we don't go to pubs, that's why our pubs are closing here.
"People think Nelson was a lot better in that sense."People think Nelson was a lot better in that sense.
"I'm not convinced about that, but we do need to put a stop to illegal immigration and have a proper, controlled immigration system.""I'm not convinced about that, but we do need to put a stop to illegal immigration and have a proper, controlled immigration system."
Others will also be standing here, hoping to capitalise on the disillusionment and cynicism with all the main Westminster parties.Others will also be standing here, hoping to capitalise on the disillusionment and cynicism with all the main Westminster parties.
The BNP have two councillors locally, and their leader Nick Griffin is one of the Euro MPs for Pendle.The BNP have two councillors locally, and their leader Nick Griffin is one of the Euro MPs for Pendle.
In this intriguing, competitive, political grand prix, there's a sense we're approaching the last lap.In this intriguing, competitive, political grand prix, there's a sense we're approaching the last lap.
A full list of all the candidates will be posted on the BBC website when the election campaign formally begins.A full list of all the candidates will be posted on the BBC website when the election campaign formally begins.