Dirty tricks abound in Crewe

Last Modified: 20 May 2008
By: Cathy Newman, Jon Snow

The campaign ahead of tomorrow's Crewe and Nantwich by-election has been enlivened by dirty tricks and class warfare. Jon Snow and Cathy Newman report.

Gordon Brown hopes to revive his embattled premiership at tomorrow's Crewe and Nantwich by-election.

Allegations of dirty tricks, class war and public school snobbery have abounded in the campaign so far. Indeed, the campaign appears to be as much about the background of the candidates as any political issues.

Cathy Newman assesses the progress of the by-election campaign so far, while Jon Snow discovers Crewe and Nantwich itself - a constituency that is, in a fashion, divided along class lines.

Full list of candidates

The Flying Brick: The Official Monster Raving Loony Party

Tamsin Dunwoody: Labour

Gemma Garrett: Independent

Mike Nattrass: UK Independence Party

David Roberts: English Democrats

Elizabeth Shenton: Liberal Democrats

Robert Smith: Green Party

Paul Thorogood: Cut Tax on Petrol and Diesel

Edward Timpson: Conservatives

Mark Walklate: Independent

Discussion: live in Crewe

Live from the Bombardier railway repair factory in Crewe, we are in the heart of the parliamentary constituency that will cast the first critical by-election judgement on Gordon Brown's premiership.

Tipping point, breaking point, or saving point? It is a Labour seat that both Tories and Lib Dems are chasing hard.

Debating some of the key issues with local people are three cabinet-ranking politicians from the major parties: Labour chief whip Geoff Hoon, Michael Gove, shadow secretary of state for children, schools and families, and Liberal Democrat treasury spokesman Vince Cable.