Tonight:
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Alan Johnson campaigning in Norwich, where Labour face protest vote
There is one politician who is a clear favourite among the people of Norwich North. Unfortunately for Labour, he is Ian Gibson, the MP who will be replaced in today's by-election.
His resignation over the expenses scandal has created anger towards the party in the city and could prove crucial in handing a possible victory to the Conservatives.
A snap survey by the Standard in the constituency found overwhelming disaffection with Gordon Brown's government and general approval for Dr Gibson's efforts since he took the seat from the Tories in 1997.
Dr Gibson resigned as an MP in protest at Labour's decision to ban him from standing at the next general election. He was ostensibly barred over expenses after claiming for a flat where his daughter lived rent-free and which she then bought cheaply but the suspicion was that Labour had taken the opportunity to oust a critic of the Prime Minister.
Quitting before the general election cost Dr Gibson tens of thousands of pounds in severance payments.
Life-long Labour supporters and swing voters alike told how they would vote against the party or abstain because of the manner in which the popular MP was forced out.
Gordon Lowe, 47, a married father-of-three who owns a motorcycle business, voted Labour at the last four general elections. He said: Ian Gibson was always there if you needed anything. He personally helped my family out with some issues over housing.
His views were echoed by Joy Glenister, a traditional Labour supporter who will be voting for the Greens.
The 51-year-old teacher said: I've lost faith in Labour generally. Education is close to my heart, obviously, and I feel they could have done more. But I would have still have voted for them if Ian Gibson was running.
Norwich's old marketplace looks forlorn despite a revamp and the Memorial Gardens next to City Hall are boarded-up and derelict a bone of contention locally. A year-old sign put up by the Labour council says construction work would begin in April but there is no evidence of it.
The recession bites in this part of the country and there are concerns over housing and education, but there appears to be no single unifying issue for voters other than a widespread disregard for the Prime Minister.
Butcher Brian Pickering, 66, said: Tony Blair won me over. I voted Labour the last few times. But Gordon Brown just comes across as miserable and not very good at his job. I wouldn't vote for anyone who is a career politician now.
Former Labour voter Teresa Tumilty, 47, a cosmetics supervisor at Debenhams and a divorced mother-of-two, will vote for Conservative candidate Chloe Smith this time. She said: David Cameron is inspiring and I think he should be given a chance. I'm fed up with Labour. Gordon Brown needs to go. Home Secretary Alan Johnson visited the working-class Silver Road area of the city yesterday and held a meet and greet in The Cottage pub. One voter he cannot count on, however, is the pub's landlord, Kevin Stone.
Mr Stone, 49, said: The Government has done nothing to help the small businessman. Duty and taxes have gone up. People are buying cheap alcohol at supermarkets and staying at home. I won't be voting Conservative, but I definitely won't be voting Labour.
At the corner store over the road, shop assistant Michael Browse, 21, told a similar story of disaffection. The father-of-two, who has another child on the way, said he struggled to find work after being made redundant from a company that makes fire extinguishers.
Mr Browse, who will not be voting, added: It's the same story for all my friends. They're looking for jobs, but there's nothing out there. I don't think politicians care what's happening in my life so I'm not interested in what any of them have to say.
Reader views (35)
I havent voted since 1979 the whole lot of them are selfserving civil servants thats all
- Mark Carrier, london england, 24/07/2009 08:07
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Keith Price - you are a male chicken.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, Hants, 23/07/2009 22:26
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I am usually a loyal Tory voter, but I wouldn't vote for this candidate. I will never again vote for a career politician, regardless of party; or anyone aged under thirty who has never held down a proper job and held some responsibility. A fresh-faced, overgrown student wouldn't cut it for me, full stop.
- Gordo, Birmingham, UK, 23/07/2009 22:01
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Who cares what the people of Norwich think or do? they are all carrot crunchers.
And if Obergruppenfuhrer Gary from Amersham is right and they elect a BNP candidate, that will prove they are brain dead.
- Kerry, Purley, 23/07/2009 21:23
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GB has shot himself in the foot again.
Cameron also used the expenses scandal to get rid of the Old Guard - but he got away with it.
What a couple.
- John, East Grinstead, UK, 23/07/2009 17:07
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Anyone who is still voting Labour after 12 years of destroying the country through their debt ridden economic policies, big brother society, mass immigration, pro multicultural, 1960's dreamworld ideologies is nothing short than a traitor to this once great nation.
They dont need a wake up call, a kick up the backside or a 'bloody nose', they need to be put into the history books, never to return again
- Lb, London, 23/07/2009 17:05
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Not true Keith, both constituencies were formed in 1950 and both seats have been held by Labour for approx 2/3 of that time. They're certainly not Tory areas but they're the sort of seats Labour will be losing when it's doing badly.
- Kevin T, Beckenham, Kent, 23/07/2009 16:43
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"David Cameron makes promises to us one day and then retracts them the following day"
Keith - I can see why you're a Labour supporter - you really are daft enough!! How many U-turns has Gordon Brown and his team of wasters made in the last few weeks then?? He's U-turned so many times since he came to (unelected) power he's the epitome of "New Labour Spin"
- Malcolm, London, 23/07/2009 16:43
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I find it incrediblethat gibson couldn't accept that his conduct was inappropriate and that he had to stand down. But he shouldn't ave resigned his seat forcing an unnecessary by election.
- Dhan Raj, Basildon, 23/07/2009 16:40
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Oh come on Keith - Blair and now Brown conned the local voters with their message, which is now being shown to be less than pristine as 'gospel'. That's how politics works for ALL parties - how "the message" is sold. Labour have been shown to have been false prophets (how unusual for politicians), that are worse, currently, than the opposition. By all accounts, the sitting MP was a reasonable one, as they go - despite his expenses fiddling. That might have had something to do with Labour's success in Norwich until now - but I note he is something of a critic of Brown. Hmmmmm.
Any constituency will have its core supporters for each party - it is the swing voters, the ones who actually care whether something is working or not, that have to be pursuaded by the politicians both to bother voting in the first place, and secondly to trust said politicians. There is a possibility that the swing voters are going to go the other way this time - thats how it works.
There's a whole lot of grey between the black and white core opposites in politics.
- Rogan, Irving, 23/07/2009 16:37
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I agree with Gary from Amersham,the BNP should certainly save their deposit, which is no mean feat for a small party with everything loaded against them.A David versus Goliath feat in fact.
One thing is sure, Cloe Smith is too young. No experience of anything except the airy-fairy, ivory tower world of Uni. There are enough people living in ivory towers in parliament already, no need for yet another one!
- Madge Blair, Cahors France, 23/07/2009 16:31
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"Actually Keith, both seats in Norwich have been Labour seat since 1997. Not sure how that makes it a predominantly Conservative town."
So you admit I am right, then. As it was Gordon and Tony who achieved the amazing capture of this conservative seat when they came to power in 1997.
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 23/07/2009 15:26
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Ok Kieth we can all see where you are coming from Are you married to one of our Labour MPs by any chance.
- David Smith, Croydon, 23/07/2009 15:25
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Protest vote? Labour have done this to themselves with corrupt politicians, barmy policies, absurd political correctness, mass immigration, the list continues......
- Dirk Diggler, Soho, London, 23/07/2009 14:43
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Actually Keith, both seats in Norwich have been Labour seat since 1997. Not sure how that makes it a predominantly Conservative town.
- Kevin T, Beckenham, Kent, 23/07/2009 14:30
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"Honesty" and "Labour" shouldn't be used in the same sentence
You just need to remember that George Osborne defrauded us of £55,000, and has yet to pay it back, and that the Tories' suoer-rich leader David Cameron makes promises to us one day and then retracts them the following day. So no honesty there, right Malcolm ? Thank you
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 23/07/2009 14:10
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Why bother even holding a by-election less than a year before the next general election - it's just a waste of money
- Paul, London, 23/07/2009 14:03
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If the people of Norwich have any sense, NuLiebour will be hung drawn and quartered at the by-election, not just given a bloody nose.
Pay no attention to Keith Price, he knows his days of special status as a public sector union commissar are numbered.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 23/07/2009 13:38
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Keith Price, calm down, it's too early to get upset.There will be plenty of time for that later, when the results come in. Enjoy!
- Dee Jay, Fleet Hampshire, 23/07/2009 13:09
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Vote for a minority party, not Labour Conservative or Liveral. This will show some measure of public feelings.
These three party's either fiddled their expenses or did nothing about it and are guilty by association.
Vote for a minority party, any minority party !
- Jack, London, 23/07/2009 13:06
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With Gordon Brown squirming with every defeat and not having the decency to leave, Labour have little to no hope. I really hope history reflects on the damaging legacy and trail of destruction he has caused on the working man in this country.
The man is single handedly destroying an economy, a countries reputation and the pay packets of our great grandchildren.
- Mike Barry, London, 23/07/2009 13:05
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Keith Price, Luton
You're such a card. either that or you've really taken on board the Brown/Mandleson approach of denying reality. Norwich North has voted Labour at the last 3 general elections, and many constituents have clearly said that if it wasn't for Gordon Brown's failures & his treatment of Ian Gibson they'd still vote Labour. How can you in all honesty say that it's "predominantly Conservative" and therefore to lose the seat (after 3 election wins) is anything but a REAL bloddy nose for Labour. Oops - forgot, "Honesty" and "Labour" shouldn't be used in the same sentence
- Malcolm, London, 23/07/2009 12:46
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"Labour set for bloody nose at by-election"!
Hardly a bloody nose in a predominantly conservative city like Norwich. Get it right.
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 23/07/2009 12:21
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The votes won't be counted until tomorrow, is this to give someone a chance to get in and nobble the ballot papers? And we all know which party made postal voting so easy don't we?
- Albert Hall, Kettering, 23/07/2009 12:11
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Have we all forgotten why this by election is taking place, he fiddled his expenses, stole from the taxpayer, and when he got caught he resigns in a huff, OK he was not the only one, but remember there are people in our jails for fiddling less than this parasite.
- Steve M, London, 23/07/2009 12:01
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The LibDems just won a local council by election from Labour in Tory Kensington and Chelsea. The Tories may not have it all their own way.
- Andrew, London, 23/07/2009 11:48
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Why vote for any politician to be your MP if he is not from the area? This applies doubly so, if, the candidate is a career politician, as it certainly places a major question mark as to where their loyalty lay, party, or, electorate. If your local MP is an out of town, career politician, with ambition for government office, you need not be a brain surgeon to answer that question!
- Kevin Sullivan, Roehampton, London., 23/07/2009 11:44
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This is nothing to the kicking they are going to get at the general election next year. I am really looking forward to Gordon and co. giving the "you'll be sorry" speeches. I won't stop laughing for weeks.
- Jimbob, Kensington, 23/07/2009 11:22
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I was in Norwich last week and driving round one thing was clear on the boards outside houses the libs are winners if that is a reflection of voting.The one thing that struck me was the lack of labour boards.
- David Smith, Croydon, 23/07/2009 11:18
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Politicians and parasites.
Two peas in a pod.
- Reuben Camara, Republic of Morecambe, UK, 23/07/2009 11:13
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The only type of people that would vote for Labour now are the kind that enjoy pain,people who are that deranged should be prevented from casting a vote.
- Leopold Alcocks, Canterbury on the moon, 23/07/2009 11:08
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The good people of Norwich have the same two choices now as the rest of the population will have at the next General Election,Tory,or Tory.
- Colin, Bristol, 23/07/2009 11:00
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Why didn't Dr Gibson put himslef forward as an independant Labour candidate?. He would have held the seat whilst putting two fingers up at Gordon Brown.
- Pat, sutton surrey, 23/07/2009 10:47
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when i read the comments by the people in this article, you have to realise thant this country is stuffed, with a voting population like that there is no hope.
- Mark Tyler, leicester, 23/07/2009 09:44
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just watch for the BNP vote! Having lived/worked in Norwich for many years, i still have friends there, and they all seem to be going to vote for them - and these are traditional 'true blue' tories. The BNP popularity is deliberately being kept out of the media - it will be a huge eye-opener.
- Gary, amersham, 23/07/2009 09:25
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