Labour in danger of losing its heartlands

The Scotsman - 15 July

On the eve of two crucial by-elections that Labour is in real danger of losing as its heartlands desert it in favour of an anti-war vote, the Tory leader stepped into the breach to display his party’s credentials to the electorate.

It is widely thought the anti-war sentiment will swing the vote towards the Liberal Democrats, and the gamble taken yesterday by Mr Howard - who supported the conflict and who continues to believe it was a justified action - was that his attack on Mr Blair’s credibility will garner votes without leading to allegations of opportunism.

Sources indicated yesterday that, from postal ballots, the result in Leicester East is likely to see Labour defeated by the Lib Dems, with the Tories taking second place.

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