Residents of a little-known English town cast their votes yesterday in an election that could help determine the political fate of the deputy prime minister and government.
The poll to choose a member of parliament for Eastleigh may prove make-or-break for Nick Clegg’s leadership of the Liberal Democrats.
During last-minute campaigning, Mr Clegg predicted his party was “on the cusp of a great victory”. Most opinion polls show his party the narrow favourite to win, with the Conservatives a close second and Ukip third. But its lead in the polls – 5 per cent – is within the margin of error.
The seat was won by the Lib Dems in 2010, but the victor, Chris Huhne, had to resign last month after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice.