The Independent’s front page of last Wednesday drew this recollection from a fellow party member. Paddy Ashdown often told the story of how, when he took over as leader, the Liberal Democrats’ poll rating was shown as an asterisk, with a footnote explaining that, within the margin of error, it was zero.

Fortunately, the Independent’s “story” appeared too late to influence the majority of postal votes in Oldham East and Saddleworth. The news of the public disgrace of the former Labour member for Bury North – a nearby constituency – will loom larger in the minds  of those who vote on the day. I hope the weather is kind to those activists from round here who have gone up to Lancashire this weekend to help Elwyn Watkins on the knocker.

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