In the heady days of New Labour, much was made of how so-called "Worcester Woman" backed Tony Blair.
But this campaign has seen the defection to the Conservatives of one particular Worcester woman, Pam Clayton - who served as a Labour councillor in the city between 2004 and 2008.
She has even signed the nomination papers of the Conservative candidate in the city, Robin Walker, with whom she is pictured.
As the Worcester News reports:
Mrs Clayton said: “I’m still interested in politics and what goes on in my beloved city and country. I have always had lots of friends in all parties and I looked around for what I thought was right for the city and the country now.”
Mrs Clayton, of Chase End Close, Battenhall, Worcester, said she became disillusioned with Labour and left the party before the recession. While she has not yet joined the Conservative party, she said she was “seriously considering it”.
She thought Mr Walker was a man who is prepared to listen and help people in Worcester. She said: “He is around and he is accessible and that’s what matters to me.”
Robin requires a swing of 3.4% to gain Worcester from the sitting Labour MP and overturn a 3,144 majority.
Jonathan Isaby
