Two weeks into the campaign, and speaking from the Brent wards dropped into this largely Camden constituency, I also back up the criticsms of Labour locally – they are virtually invisible, at least west of Kilburn High Road. The Tories, Lib Dems and Greens are working hard to win votes, but Glenda’s posse is nowhere to be seen and is about as enthusiastic about engaging with the local electorate as the BNP candidate. Perhaps they don’t know how to find their way across Kilburn High Road….

I don’t know about others from the Brent wards, but I’m not feeling very positive about the impact of these boundary changes. For one thing, whoever is elected is likely to invest little time working with Brent Council on constituency issues when only one-quarter of the electorate lives in Brent; much easier to focus on Camden and its residents. Also, and on a more personal note, I’m a real fan of Sarah Teather – not only is she no longer going to be my MP, but she is going to have a very tough time winning the more solidly Labour seat of Brent Central, as a result of which one of the real stars of the Liberal Democrats may disappear from national politics after 6 May. I hope I’m wrong abou that though.

As for Tamsin Omond, yes she’s an attention seeker and there’s plenty to ridicule in what she says, but fair play to her, at least she’s actually been involved in real campaigning on real issues like the nutty idea of expanding Heathrow Airport. It’s very easy to slag someone off when they take a stand but, while I won’t vote for her, I respect the fact she’s trying to do something that most of us would be too scared or lazy to do.

MOST of the candidates in Hampstead & Kilburn should be elected.

They are towers above 99% of the population.

What amazing spirit!

Until you’ve been in a few police cells you haven’t really arrived in Hampstead.

Some people are born every few centuries that break the mould of every party, that shatter the preconceptions of the age, that excite the people and electrify the Commons.

Even the Royal Family rush out to see them.

Tamsin Ormond is one of these rare gems.

The Olympics are coming, we’re already 4th in the world…this little silver island….and the chariots of fire of waiting throbbing near the battle.

Everyone who thinks they can walk should stick it down to the voting booth and VOTE VOTE VOTE for Ormond!

http://twitter.com/ClivePower

Reuben, couple of pointers for you: Glenda is not a ‘prominent voice’ to the left. she is almost totally mute, and everyone’s had enough. it was funny for a while to have a film star firebrand, appropriate for the old constituency borders and tastes, but she’s not vocal, dynamic or interested enough to engage with the electorate any more.

Tamsin isn’t standing against one of the green’s ‘most prominent candidates’, as you put it. the greens are sensibly focusing their efforts on the three constituencies they can win: Brighton Pavilion, Norwich South and Lewisham Deptford. to imply that all green party candidates should stand unopposed by green-minded independents would be ridiculous, and so i’ll have to assume that’s not what you mean to say.

overall, i don’t really see why you’re so keen to exaggerate the divisiveness of the Commons campaign. given that so many people in Hampstead and Kilburn – especially young people – are now about as disenchanted with politics as it’s possible to be, having a bit of a ruckus over the election outcome should be welcome. the intention, above all, is to stir up political participation among new groups, to reverse the miserably low turnout trends that we’ve witnessed in this era of triangulation.

and incidentally, there’s been a conspicuous absence of good behaviour recently from those we invest with our power as citizens. as you point out, even an infant can manage to behave well. not so some of our rotten MPs.