Why Labour might want you to vote Conservative

You would think the forthcoming election would see Labour and the Conservatives tearing strips out of each other in every corner of the country.

But in some parts of our patch Tories and Labour seem to be getting on remarkably well.

You see there are some places where Labour may even want at least some people to vote Conservative.

And that may even involve mentioning to yours truly just how nice and interesting the Tory candidate is, and how we should get them on the Politics Show forthwith.

Two Labour candidates have tried that in the past.

And the reason becomes clear if you look at constituencies like Newcastle East, Newcastle North and the City of Durham.

The main threat to Labour there is the Liberal Democrats. The Tories trail way behind in third with no hope of winning.

But of course in both places there will be people naturally inclined to vote Conservative. The Newcastle East and North seats for example include swathes of wealthy Gosforth.

And of course if they do vote Tory, then they're less likely to vote Liberal Democrat, and Labour are more likely to hold on.

So if you live in one of those seats, don't be surprised to find Labour helpfully pointing out that the Liberal Democrats are unlikely to get into government, so your only choice is between Brown and Cameron.

It'll be interesting to see how successful the tactic is.

Anti-Conservative tactical voting played for Labour in 1997, but it's not clear whether similar anti-Labour tactical voting will develop this time.

I suspect the Lib Dems will need those tactical votes in those seats.

Yes, Labour is looking less popular than in 2005, but the kind of factors that helped the Lib Dems come so close in Newcastle and Durham then - Iraq and tuition fees - have faded.

If potential Lib Dem voters are also persuaded to turn to the Conservatives this time, Labour will be the winner.

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