The Hampstead and Kilburn constituency is one of the 100 or so in the country which is likely to determine the outcome of one of the most important general elections we are ever likely to face. The local electorate thus has a particular responsibility to

The Hampstead and Kilburn constituency is one of the 100 or so in the country which is likely to determine the outcome of one of the most important general elections we are ever likely to face.

The local electorate thus has a particular responsibility to vote and, I believe, to understand the local result implications of their choice.

I recently received a leaflet from the Liberal Democrats and their local candidate Ed Fordham proclaiming that, in the Hampstead and Kilburn constituency, Labour and the Lib Dems were neck and neck, with the Conservatives out of the race.

I found this puzzling, as your newspaper has reported on a poll of marginal constituencies, which indicated that the seat was a Labour/Conservative marginal, with the Conservatives presently slightly ahead and the Lib Dems well behind in third place.

I understand results of real votes in the 2008 and 2009 London and European elections also show this result.

We already know Ed Fordham has an interest in statistics from his recent attacks on the voting record of Glenda Jackson but in the case of voting intentions, he does not provide any sources for his self-serving propaganda.

We all know that politicians seem to live on another planet, but his claims seem a particularly extreme example of hope over reality and one which sends confusing messages for those of us who want their vote to be used most effectively.

The serious point is that the electorate must be properly informed as to the local implications of how we vote in the forthcoming elections. This is not the first letter you have published on this matter and it would be a useful service to the community if the Ham&High could provide a platform to put the record straight.

Paul D Rivers

Eton Avenue, NW3