Lib Dems embrace disgusted Labour voters
By Alex Stevenson
‘Old Labour’ voters are turning to the Liberal Democrats in Norwich North, their candidate April Pond has claimed.
Ms Pond told politics.co.uk at her campaign headquarters in the Norfolk constituency that many Labour backers felt “let down by what the Labour party’s become”.
Conservative candidate Chloe Smith appears the frontrunner in today’s by-election but Ms Pond strove to point out that disgruntled Labour supporters unhappy with the treatment of ex-MP Ian Gibson were more likely to turn to her.
“We are seeing an awful lot of Labour voters coming to us. The result depends on how many Labour voters stay at home,” she said.
“We are finding increasingly over the last couple of weeks it’s become more apparent to us it’s going to be between us and the Tories. And the Tories know that. They’re getting worried.”
Listen to April Pond interview in full
Liberal Democrats are upbeat after several weeks of hard campaigning. The party has always performed above expectations in by-elections and activists have reported positive feedback on the doorstep.
Ms Pond added: “People are absolutely fed up with the two main parties and what we’re getting is – ‘well, actually, your policies are really good and my sentiments are leaning towards the Liberal Democrats’. And that’s what I’m seeing time and time again.”
