The continuing election diary of Toby Horton, aged 60 and a half

This is the strangest election I have ever been involved with. The local authority do not allow posters on lamposts or telegraph poles so there is little sign that an election is taking place at all.

There are very few posters in windows or gardens and most people you meet, whichever party you are in, seem to be either totally disinterested or completely unaware.

Certainly no signs of election fever so far. I have, occasionally, spotted small groups of people out leafletting.

UKIP have been busy doing exactly the same thing. By the end of the campaign most households will have received four or five pieces of UKIP literature.

 

I have been joined on the campaign by some real UKIP stalwarts like Geoffrey Kingscott, Greg Beaman, Don Ransome and Derek Clarke MEP. They drive for hours to get here and bring friends with them. I am really grateful that they have come to back up the regulars like Dave Pascoe and Eric Wilson.

The local press have been quite fair and I was given a whole column in the Northern Echo today. This is heartening as it is the only paper to cover the whole constituency.

 

BBC Online have been to Sedgefeld to talk to me and other candidates. The editor is Brian Wheeler and he is a local lad from Sedgefield. His piece on the campaign shopuld be on the BBC website later this afternoon.

I also met the Today programme who are running a piece on Friday—it went well but we shall have to wait and see what the final result looks like.

 

This morning I am with a full team at the Sedgefield Racecourse—not watching the horses but visiting the local boot far which attracts thousands.

Reception on the doorstep in many parts of the constituency has been very good. Let's hope it turns into votes.

Still no signs of any policy statements from any of the parties. The Labour candidate got lots of publicity for popping in to see his Mum and Dad.