The Labour and Conservative campaigns in the Ealing Southall by-election are both descending in to chaos.  Momentum is clearly building for Nigel Bakhai – the local Liberal Democrat choice.

Three Labour Councillors are believed to be leaving the party in protest at the selection of Virenda Sharma.  This follows constant rows within the Labour Party about the possibility of an all woman shortlist and then the shortlist of two men that excluded Labour Councillor Sonika Nirwal.

The Conservative Party’s Vice-Chairman, Mr Brij Mohan Gupta, has switched to the Liberal Democrats in protest at the appointment of the Conservative candidate.  Former Conservative council candidate Dr Gulbash Singh is standing against the official Conservative candidate in the by-election.

Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather campaigning in Southall said,

“The Labour and Conservative Party’s campaigns are now both in disarray. The momentum is with Nigel Bokhai’s Liberal Democrats.  He is the popular local choice to be the next MP.

“Both Labour and Conservative Parties lost support locally by supporting George Bush’s war in Iraq. 

"Labour are continuing to lose support as crime rates rise and Ealing hospital is clearly neglected.

"The Conservatives are in third place and have a candidate with no political experience, who only joined the Conservatives when appointed as the candidate and who lives in Chiswick – not Southall.

"The strong local choice is Nigel Bakhai."