LABOUR CONCEDE DEFEAT IN BROMLEY & CHISLEHURST BY-ELECTION

4.09.08pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 26th Jun 2006

LOCAL Senior Labour constituency officers have conceded that their candidate cannot win here in Thursday's crucial by-election.

On BBC Radio 4s Today Programme this morning it was reported that "For Labour reality has set in. Senior members of the constituency party told me that they won't win this by-election."

Labour's campaign in the by-election has been almost non-existent compared to that of the two main parties locally. Neither Tony Blair nor John Prescott has made any visits to Bromley & Chislehurst.

In sharp contrast Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Menzies Campbell MP has made two visits so far, with a third planned for tomorrow followed by a visit by Charles Kennedy MP on Wednesday morning.

Liberal Democrat Election Agent, Shaun Roberts said: "Everyone knows that Labour could never win here. Most Labour supporters seem set to back local Lib Dem Ben Abbotts to beat the Conservative here on Thursday."