Stroud's small parties: are they kingmakers?

Dark mutterings among the green-tinged folk of the Stroud constituency.

Two local papers carry a full-page advert encouraging voters in this key marginal to support David Drew.

He's referred to as 'a green MP'; his eco-credentials are listed in detail.

The backers who paid for the ad are named: they include two former Green Party officers, as well as others involved in the environmental movement.

But there is one major omission: of the 350 printed words, not one of them is 'Labour'.

The Green Party, for whom this seat is their best hope in the West, are angry.

They've had puzzled comments and confusion from local supporters.

It's culminated in the party taking legal advice - and accusing David Drew's backers of dirty tricks.

At the same time the incumbent has had a boost from the other end of the political spectrum: the UK Independence Party are encouraging supporters to back him - though they acknowledge voting Labour may be too much for some to stomach.

4,000 votes went to UKIP or the Greens last time; David Drew's majority was 350.

Suddenly a seat which many experts thought was a dead-cert Tory gain is looking much more interesting.