The nation's eyes are on Crewe and Nantwich

8:54am Thursday 22nd May 2008

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THE fate of the nation lies in the hands of Crewe and Nantwich residents today.

Thousands of voters will hit the polling booths in a historic by-election that could seal the fate - one way or another - of Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

If the polls and bookies are proved right and the Tories snatch the seat from Labour, pundits claim it could spell the end for the beleaguered Brown's days at number 10.

But questions remain as to whether the Tory campaign machine has done enough to counter the strong Labour support in Crewe and overturn the current 7,000 majority.

The flags, rosettes and balloons will finally be packed away today as the politicians bring to an end the bitterly fought campaign, sparked by the death of much-respected MP Gwyneth Dunwoody.

With so much riding on the result, it has been one of the dirtiest by-election campaigns in recent history, with personal attacks on the candidates and their backgrounds.

Labour have consistently portrayed Tory candidate Edward Timpson as a Tarporley toff' who cannot understand the needs of ordinary people.

And Conservative campaigners have accused Labour of cynically cashing in on the Dunwoody name, with the selection of Gwyneth's daughter Tamsin Dunwoody.

Most polls seem to indicate that the by-election is a two-horse race, although Liberal Democrat candidate Elizabeth Shenton could yet be a surprise element if she polls a decent share of the vote.

Despite the bookies making the Tories odds-on favourites, indications are that it will be a very close run contest, with the intense media spotlight sure to boost the turnout to record levels.

The vote's vital importance has brought the world's media onto people's doorsteps over the past three weeks, with press crews eager to gauge public opinion.

And the parties have wheeled in their big guns' with numerous visits from Tory leader David Cameron, former leader William Hague, Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman and justice minister Jack Straw, and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg.

In addition, celebrities such as soap stars Liz Dawn and John Middleton and Man Utd boss Alex Ferguson were drafted in to add their support to the Labour cause.

Whatever the result, it is unlikely that the residents of Crewe and Nantwich will ever get to wield such collective power again.