Wednesday 20th April
Today's blog is by Martin Bell (deputy press officer)
This was the day of Reg's Pledges - No more illegal wars; No more lies; No more betraysls; Reg Keys, a REAL constituency MP. Reg took his pledges round the constituency in his 'battlebus' (Martin - we deliberately don't refer to is as a battle bus - it's more of an anti-battle bus really - Ed) which is an open-topped bus which usually shows tours the sights of Newcastle and Gateshead. Today it visited Newton Aycliffe, Sedgefield and Ferryhill, where Reg Keys was warmly welcomed, with many offers of support, The tour was also well received in Trimdon Colliery (Tony Blair's 'home'), Trimdon Grange (the Labour HQ) and Trimdon Station, where by chance Reg had his second meeting with Councillor John Burton, Tony Blair's agent and representative on earth. To no one's surprise, there is still no sign of the hoped for debate between the Prime Minister and his main challenger.
The feedback from voters was overwhelmingly positive. Reg's campaign was followed today by reporters from The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph, the Daily Mail and all the national and international news agencies. Even Swiss Television. (Tomorrow we are expecting Al Jazeera.) The campaign has a buzz about it. In my view it has more traction after two weeks than my own had developed in Tatton at that time 8 years ago. Everything's to play for. Anything is possible.
I believe that this unassuming former ambulance driver holds in his hands the Keys to regime change in Downing Street.