Official Poll shows Lib Dem WIN in Mid Sussex

12.00.00am GMT Thu 20th Jan 2005

A new independent opinion poll of marginal constituencies, including Mid Sussex, shows Liberal Democrats in a narrow lead over the Conservatives.

Mid Sussex Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman, Serena Tierney, said:

" This poll shows what my own experience talking to local voters tells us: that the Liberal Democrats can win Mid Sussex from the Conservatives.

Voters are disillusioned with a Labour Government that took the country to war in Iraq. Michael Howard's Tory party is so desperate that it promises increased public spending and tax cuts. People are not stupid: they know that doesn't add up.

Increasingly on issues like Iraq, council tax, tuition fees and spending money on putting police on the beat rather than on ID cards, the Lib Dems are the only party to provide real opposition to the Government and represent what people really want."

The Populus poll published on Sunday suggests that the Liberal Democrats will win Mid Sussex. It shows that the Liberal Democrats have 1% more support than the Conservatives across this group of seats. Labour are trailing third.

Voting intention in the poll was:

Liberal Democrat 37%

Conservative 36%

Liberal Democrat election expert Lord Rennard said that,

"This poll confirms that the Liberal Democrats are the only party that can challenge the Conservatives in Mid Sussex. It is absolutely clear that Labour cannot win here.

Many Labour supporters will look at the facts and switch to the Liberal

Democrats in this constituency. That is the only way that they can help defeat a Conservative.

The Liberal Democrats will mount a very strong challenge to get the vital few extra votes needed for victory. I know that Charles Kennedy is very impressed with Serena Tierney and wants to see her in Parliament standing up for Mid Sussex."