Norwich North: Labour candidate hit by swine flu while poll hints at Tory victory
By Ian Dunt
Drama overtook to the contest for Norwich North today when the Labour candidate was suspected of having swine flu.
Chris Ostrowski was reported to have fallen ill today, and promptly cancelled public appearances he had scheduled with business secretary Peter Mandelson.
He is currently in Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
Conservative candidate Chloe Smith said: “I’m extremely sorry to hear that Chris has been taken ill this morning.
“One of my campaign team had a suspected case of swine flu two weeks ago so I know just how horrible it can be. I’d like to send Chris my best wishes and I hope he will make a speedy recovery.”
The diagnosis came as a double blow to Labour, who already had to deal with a new opinion poll revealing optimistic forecasts for the Conservatives.
Meanwhile, in a comment piece for politics.co.uk today, Ukip candidate Glenn Tingle, a former army medic, promised to run from Norwich war memorial to Westminster if he was elected, and donate any fundraised money to charity.
Comment: Mainstream parties have had their day.
Vince Cable was in the constituency today for the Lib Dems, while other parties sent their candidates knocking on doors.
But a Populus poll for the Times found strong support for Tory arguments, specifically over spending.
Take part in politics.co.uk’s Norwich North poll
The poll assesses the national mood, rather than that in Norwich North, but it is further evidence that the race is the Conservatives’ to lose.
The poll found four in five voters thought public spending cuts are inevitable after the next election, corresponding well with Tory arguments.
Nationally, the poll puts the Tories on 38 per cent, with Labour on 26 per cent. Smaller parties saw their support fall – a telling sign for the Green party, which is hoping to make a major breakthrough in the by-election.
Only 15 per cent of respondents thought Labour could win the next general election.
Bookmakers William Hill are so sure of a Conservative victory in Norwich North that they have opened a book on who will finish second.
As it stands, Hills rate Labour at 7/4 to come second but it is a close call with the Greens and Lib Dems – both offered at 5/2 to poll more votes than Labour.
“All the polls suggest that Labour are in for a kicking with the odds suggesting that there is a good chance that Labour will finish outside the top three,” said Hill’s spokesman Rupert Adams.
