Voters go to the polls in Brent East
Voters go to the polls today in the Brent East by-election.
The election is likely to be heavily scrutinised to elicit the direction voters are moving in ahead of the next general election.
Some psephologists predict Labour is running neck and neck with the Liberal Democrats and forecast a major political upset.
But Labour is defending a majority of 13,047. The Conservatives took 5,278 votes in 2001. The Lib Dems have relatively small support in the constituency with 3,065.
For the Lib Dems to do the seemingly impossible, a 27 per cent swing must be recorded.
Polling stations are open from 07:00 until 20:00 GMT.
The result is likely to come in about 01:00 Friday morning.
16 candidates are vying for the seat.
Labour is fielding Robert Evans MEP, the Liberal Democrats Sarah Teather, an Islington councillor and the Tories will look to Uma Fernandes, Brent councillor and nurse, to top the poll.
The by-election came about after the early death of Paul Daisley, former Brent Borough Council leader who died on June 18, aged 45.
