The Clegg effect

9.25.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 18th Apr 2010

Nick Clegg's sterling performance in last Thursday night's live debate with the other two contenders for premiership had a tangible and positive effect on havering and disillusioned voters, as I found this morning while canvassing in Barton-le-Clay. They now know there is a viable alternative to the unappetising Brown or Cameron fare proffered unimaginatively by much of the media until now.

By sharing the stage and glare of questioning live on TV, Clegg stepped into the limelight and came to the proper attention of many for the first time. He seized the opportunity and did not disappoint.

Of course, Clegg also has a strong team around him and it helped that the Lib Dem manifesto is fully costed, which makes the competitors' unsubstantiated versions look shady by comparison.

It's a very good start, and so with two more such live debates to go, and our own policy leaflet poised for printing in support of Mid Beds prospective parliamentary candidate Linda Jack (a woman of pedigree and integrity, I'm proud to say), I'm feeling very chipper.

Cllr. Janet Nunn

Barton - le -Clay