Tory candidate in Eastleigh by-election says none of the local state schools are good enough for her 12 year old son

[Hassled]

It's like the Tories have shot themselves in the foot, reloaded the gun and then shot themselves in the head, isn't it? An unfortunate lady called Maria Hutchings - it's probably safe to say her political career has had a setback.

It's a former Lib-Dem seat (Chris Huhne) but the Lord Rennard scandal won't help them - Labour don't seem to be anywhere but Ukip reasonably popular apparently. I don't even want to think of the ramifications of Labour coming in behind Ukip - the prospect depresses the hell out of me. But all in all an interesting election - good feature here.

[longfingernails]

UKIP seem quite strong locally, which contrasts with almost all their other recent byelections.

Labour voters seem pretty disillusioned with the Dave Spart "comedian" parachuted in. If a couple of thousand Lib Dems vote UKIP in disgust at Clegg's handling of the Rennard story and Huhne's lying (there is a surprising overlap in the voter bases), and they pick up the usual "protest vote" crowd which would have naturally fallen to the LDs in the past, I think UKIP have a genuine chance to pull off a sensational upset.

A UKIP win would be fantastic. Cameron has destroyed the working class Tory base Maggie so marvellously cultivated. He needs to be shown the error of his ways.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Hassled this thread was started a few days ago by seeker.

Interestingly, Maria Hutchings came top in a poll that was done yesterday, so perhaps her comments haven't done that much damage.

[longfingernails]

Alibabanadthe40nappies Maria Hutchings does seem refreshingly willing not to sugar coat or spin her words or opinions. I don't agree with her but I admire her honesty.

That said, if I were an Eastleigh voter I would have no hestitation in voting UKIP. The candidate looks wonderful and Cameron needs to be punished for deserting Tory core supporters.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

We are not too far from Eastleigh, and UKIP are having a big push in this area at the moment.

[AuntLucyInPeru]

I know Maria from a former life. She's a smart, nice woman with lots of energy and life experience. She and her husband went to state school, as did her other two children. If she thinks her third child would benefit from a different educational environment, and puts making the right decision for her child above her own career ambitions, that seems to make her a good person rather than otherwise .

[Hassled]

Alibaba (and seeker) - apologies. I looked and somehow failed to see it, and I hate it when this happens.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

It got a little, um, terse. It is possible it was deleted

[kimorama]

She is a loose cannon Cameron pulled her out of a BBC debate last week She is apparently pro-Life and anti abortion. She could still win

[kimorama]

In spite of all the important Rennard publicity. The Lib-Dems are forecast to win in Eastleigh tonight. It depends who comes second and third

[moondog]

Any more developments or thoughts?

[BMW6]

Didn't Diane Abbot do something similar?? In short, so what?