Leicester South By-election

Tomorrow, amongst other elections, is the parliamentary by-election in Leicester South. This follows the resignation of Sir Peter Soulsby, the last MP for Leicester South, who is putting himself forward as a candidate for elected mayor of the City of Leicester.

The candidates for the by-election are -

Jon Ashworth, Labour Party
Zuffar Haq, Liberal Democrats
Howling Laud Hope, Monster Raving Loony William Hill Party
Jane Marion Hunt, Conservative Party
Abhijit Pradip Pandya, UK Independence Party (UKIP)

It would seem a foregone conclusion that Labour will win it. Not out of any merit. Their leader is still huffing and puffing and signifying nothing. But there might be some surprises. Or maybe just two. As the list is relatively short for a by-election, this gives Alan Hope the chance to mop up more than just the votes of diehard loonies. An ideal protest vote, I'd say (always assuming you want to protest). And UKIP could do well. They've got a candidate of Indian origins whereas the LibDems have one of Pakistani background. Sub-continental politics work well in Leicester. Already Mr.Pandya has caused outrage by suggesting that Islam is, well, not to his taste. The Leicester Mercury, the paper of choice for BBC Radio 4's News Quiz, has been accused by UKIP of twisting his words. So it livened up after all!

Posted in: Leicester Mercury,Leicester South By-election