LABOUR looks set to storm home in the Staffordshire South East by election next month, according to the first public opinion Boll in the constituency.
The survey, in the Birmingham Evening Mail, shows the Conservatives would lose the Midlands seat made vacant with the death of Sir David Lightbown and probably be forced into a battle for second place with the Liberal Democrats.
Of the 688 people interviewed 53.6 per cent said they will vote for Labour's Mr Brian Jenkins 12.5 per cent plan to vote for the conservative candidate, Mr Jimmy James and 10.5 per cent support the Liberal Democrats.
However, at 13.8 per cent, there 15 a significant number of uncommitted voters in the constituency, which includes the market town of Tamworth and the cathedral city of Lichfield.
Both Tory and Liberal Democrat campaign workers will concentrate on the don't knows, which could create an unexpected boost for Mr Paddy Ashdown, pushing the Conservatives into third place on April 11th.
Sir David, who died last December, was the MP since 1983 and held the seat with a 7,192 majority. A defeat for the Tories would reduce their overall Commons majority to one.
The last Conservative strong hold to fall in the West Midlands was Dudley West in December 1994 with a swing to Labour of more than 29 near cent, the largest in a by election for 50 years.
. The Labour MP, Mr Alf Morris, a tireless crusader for the disabled, has announced his decision to retire from the House of Commons at the next general election. Mr Morris, who is 68 today, has been MP for Manchester Wythenshawe since 1964.