Tories are the bookies favourites
THE Conservatives are odds-on to making sweeping gains across the Westcountry, according to bookmaker Ladbrokes.
New betting odds released last night suggest the Tories are on course to take eight key seats in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset, largely at the expense of the Liberal Democrats.
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David Cameron
Nick Weinberg, Ladbrokes spokesman, said: "The South West promises to be a key battleground and interest amongst political punters is growing by the day."
If replicated on polling day, the results would mean a dramatic redrawing of the political map in the Westcountry.
The Tories have made clear that they need to make significant gains in the Westcountry in order to deliver a Commons majority for David Cameron. One in 10 of their targets seats is in the region.
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In early election skirmishes, senior figures from each of the main parties have made a pitch for the region's support.
Former Lib-Dem leader Paddy Ashdown is spearheading the campaign in the Westcountry, sparking claims from Tory party chairman that he had been "got out of mothballs".
Gordon Brown last week brought the entire Cabinet to Exeter in what was seen as a thinly-veiled political stunt to bolster support for Labour ahead of the election.
According to Ladbrokes' odds, the Tories are favourites to beat the Lib-Dems in some of their former strongholds.
In St Austell and Newquay, the new seat covering the area largely held by veteran Lib-Dem Matthew Taylor, the Tories are 4/6 favourites to win.
The South East Cornwall seat – being vacated by Lib-Dem Colin Breed – has the Tories favourites at 8/11. The Lib-Dems and Tories are neck-and-neck, both on 5/6, in the North Cornwall seat currently held by Lib-Dem MP Dan Rogerson while Lib-Dem Nick Harvey is predicted survive as MP in North Devon.
The Tories are favourites to win Torbay, from Lib-Dem whip Adrian Sanders.
According to the betting market, Lib-Dem frontbencher Julia Goldsworthy is on course to retain Camborne and Redruth on odds of 2/5, just ahead of former Tory spin doctor George Eustice, at 7/4.
The Labour Party has made clear the seat is their key target, but Ladbrokes is offering long odds of 33/1 that they will win back the seat lost in 2005.
There is also bad news for Labour in Plymouth, where bookies predict Linda Gilroy could lose her Sutton and Devonport seat. Tory candidate Oliver Colville is 2/5 favourite to win.
In Exeter, where Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw is reportedly the target of a Tory "decapitation strategy", Labour is 5/6 to hang on to the seat, with the Conservatives evens.
The Tories are also predicted to oust Somerset Lib-Dems Jeremy Browne (Taunton) and David Heath (Somerton and Frome) and defeat Jim Knight, the South West minister, in his South Dorset seat.
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by Colin McNamee, UKIP Somerton & Frome, Somerset
Thursday, February 11 2010, 6:42PM
“Bring it on !
The CONS may get the surprise they deserve - but not like :-)”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 1:10PM
“:| Many distinguished MPs can have their careers 'extinguished' when there a revolution; even a minor one, as all saw in 1997.”
by Graham, St Ives, Cornwall
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 11:18AM
“I see no mention of the distinguished Andrew George MP (St Ives)!!!!
Has he ceased to exist or has he been extinguished????
Does everyone think it a forgone conclusion. If so, you may be very much mistaken.”
by Easy come, Easy go
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 9:47AM
“Even if MK which out side the very western tip of Cornwall I think highly unlikely what benefit would a vote for MK bring us?
They can not change anything, an independent candidate has as much power, logic says at least if we are represented by an MP who has formed the government we have whipped say in matters
I have never voted Tory in my life but after Labour killing me this past decade with lies I am willing to give them a go so long as they do something about immigration. Expenses and employment I gain something, I would have liked a vote on Europe but that gone now along with the british ident could one of the last chances of voting we get before we see the euro song in a German run state, we won the war but lost our freedom thanks Gordy Clown”
by cheekyman, Redruth
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 9:24AM
“I've been screwed over enough by Liberal (Liars), Labour (egotists) and Conservatives (everything else bad in this world) alike...MK all the way...it's the only way the Cornish will get their own voice”