Labour and the Tories are now neck-and-neck in Central Devon

✒ I AGREE with Lib Dem Councillor Steven Keable (Gazette letters, March 12) when he suggests voting for a “unity candidate” for the Central Devon constituency at the next general election.

But we disagree on one fundamental detail. As the Conservative government limps towards the election, the polls show that voters in Central Devon have an unprecedented opportunity to elect a Labour MP. For years, expert poll trackers have been consistent on this.

Electoral Calculus – which is used by national newspapers to analyse general election polls – currently predicts that the Labour Party in Central Devon would win 39.2% of votes in a general election, the Tories 28.9%, and the Lib Dems just 14.1%.

It gives Labour a 74% chance of winning the constituency and the Tories a 24% chance. The Liberal Democrats have a 1% chance.

This fits with the experience of recent general elections, where Labour has come a strong second in Central Devon, with the Liberal Democrats far behind.

Indeed, these results prove that Cllr Keable is wrong to claim that local election results mirror general elections: the Lib Dems had many local councillors at the time of previous general elections and yet still came a distant third behind Labour.

Voters know that general elections are used to elect a national government and to choose someone to take our voice to Westminster.

The Labour Party is the overwhelming favourite to form the next government, with Yougov currently showing Labour on 47% and the Conservatives on 20% nationally.

The Lib Dems are on 9% and will not form a government. So, electing a Labour MP would give us in Central Devon more of an ability to influence and work with a potential Labour government. Sticking with Mel Stride would make us even less empowered than he has already made us.

We are in desperate need to move past this divided and incompetent Conservative government. A Labour MP for Central Devon would give us a strong voice inside a new Labour government. It’s time for a change.

To make that happen, get in touch at https://www. labourcentraldevon.org. We want to hear from you.

Laurie Laybourn Vice-chair, Central Devon Labour Party,

Thorverton