GORDON HENDERSON MP

Ten years ago when I was on the selection treadmill looking for a constituency that would have me as its parliamentary candidate I reached the final round in Norwich North.

To reach the Norwich final had involved a number of preliminary interviews and several visits to the area to undertake the research needed to answer all but the most difficult local questions that are inevitably aimed at candidates who are “outsiders”.

During those visits to Norwich I remember being struck by the relative affluence of some of the suburbs that I visited and marvelled at how Labour had managed to build up a majority in the seat approaching 10,000.

However, despite the convincing Labour majority, I felt the seat was winnable, which I why I applied for it in the first place. As it happens I was not selected in Norwich North, instead, I eventually went on to become the candidate in Luton South.

Since 1999 the Labour majority in Norwich North has been steadily eroded and having visited the constituency yesterday to help out in the bye-election I think it finally will be overturned this Thursday.

Actually yesterday was a pretty busy day. I left Sittingbourne at 8.20 am with Louise, Chris Foulds and Mat McGill and arrived in Thorpe St Andrew (one of the nicer parts of Norwich) three hours later. We reported to the sector 4 campaign centre where bundles of leaflet were thrust immediately into our hands, with a map directing us to Sprowston (another nice suburb north of the ring road).

Unfortunately, despite my (admittedly limited) local knowledge, and Lou’s usually impeccable navigating skills, we ended up heading in the wrong direction, which I only realised when I saw Norwich City’s Carrow Road stadium looming large in front of me! Still during our detour we did spot a riverside pub that we promised ourselves we would visit after our delivering was complete.

We eventually found the part of Sprowston we had been allocated and spent a hot couple of hours spreading the Tory message to the unsuspecting locals, before returning to the riverside where we realised our promise of a good lunch!

We then hit the road for our return journey, which would have been very smooth if we hadn’t been caught up in the inevitable traffic congestion at the Dartford Crossing. Note to myself: If I am lucky enough to be elected at the next General Election I will campaign to have tolls abolished at the Dartford Crossing. That will do more to reduce the carbon footprint and pollution around Dartford that all the pious talk of Government ministers!

My overall impression of the Norwich North by-election? If the number of poster sites are an indication of the likely result then Conservative Chloe Smith will just sneak it from the Lib Dems and Labour could be pushed into fourth place by the Greens.

The photo opposite shows (l-r) Mat McGill, me, Louise and Chris Foulds.