Final push in Hartlepool

Read the full report at ePolitix.com

Campaigning in the Hartlepool by-election heads into its final 48 hours today.

....Labour has accused the Lib Dems of failing to select a local candidate.

The party claims Jody Dunn is not living in the constituency - in contrast to its man Iain Wright.

But Charles Kennedy says Hartlepool voters should use tomorrow's poll to send the prime minister a message.

"Tony Blair talks about winning trust and urges people to look back at his party's manifesto pledges. Has he already forgotten that he broke his promise at the last election not to introduce tuition fees?" he said.....

....The Conservatives, meanwhile, hope to retain second place in order to boost Michael Howard's flagging leadership.

Tory candidate Jeremy Middleton claims Lib Dem supporters are switching to the Conservatives as polling day looms.