Nine 1/2 Weeks

The latest poll for the Sunday Times, showing the Conservatives only two points ahead, will no doubt give David Cameron some sleepless nights.

The news follows reports of an already deepening sense of crisis in the Tory ranks at their failure to make progress, or even hold on to the lead they enjoyed throughout last year.

The electorate are a generous bunch, by and large, and will give incoming leaders the benefit of the doubt for much longer than politicians sometimes have a right to expect.

I suspect that since David Cameron was elected Tory leader, voters have been allowing him to settle in to the role, find his feet, get into his stride. No doubt they were expecting that, less than three months out from the General Election, he would have pulled together a strong team, with a clear sense of direction and well thought out policies. The narrowing of the Tory lead seems to reflect people's growing realisation that this isn't going to happen, and that there really is a gaping void at the heart of the new, slick, airbrushed Conservative operation.

The series of poster launches at the beginning of this year really was a disaster for Cameron. Vacuous, superficial and content-free, they lent themselves to ridicule - and ridicule the public did. Meanwhile, George Osborne continues to be the weakest link in the Conservative chain, at a time when recession and recovery are uppermost in people's minds and they want to feel confident in a future Chancellor of the Exchequer. Can anyone imagine Osborne in that role - no, I mean seriously?

The Conservatives have every reason to be worried about how the nine and a half weeks to 6 May are going to go.

Chatteris

Out in Chatteris in the rain this afternoon, canvassing for Chris Howes, Liberal Democrat candidate in next Thursday's district and town council by-election in Chatteris Mills ward. There's a team of us out, including Chris himself among the local contingent. We're also delighted to receive a visit from Colin Saunderson, the winner in last Thursday's by-election in nearby Fenstanton. Colin has won a seat from the Conservatives with a swing of over 4 per cent. Let's hope for similar good news in Chatteris next week.

Ely market

Out in Ely this morning for a quick bit of shopping at the farmers' market, and to pick up the week's groceries. Our dog simply can't make his mind up between a sizzling ostrich burger or a passing duck! There are plenty of green tokens in Waitrose for Poplar Farm Kennels at Sutton Gault, where we got our dog back in November. It's obviously a popular cause.

Great to hear that East Cambridgeshire Council has been forced by the huge level of local objection to think again about its plans to make market stall holders pay for, erect and take down their own stands. The market - whether today's farmers' market or the general market - is a major part of Ely life, and it's clearly bustling today.

It's also Fairtrade fortnight, so there's lots going on to support that very worthwhile cause too.

It's all kicking off

Great to meet other Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidates from across the East of England in Cambridge for a briefing event tonight - some familiar faces and some new ones. Not enough women, but that still seems to be an endemic problem across the political parties.

It's a relaxed event, with lots of mutual support and encouragement, and even home made cake. We're given some useful advice about dealing with the media, and have a chance to practise answering some of the questions that might come up at hustings meetings.