POLLING predictions are complicated and not an exact science but I was slightly surprised by the forecast of only 29 per cent for Labour in Hereford and South Herefordshire (up from 22 per cent) compared with a predicted 35 per cent for the Conservatives with Lib Dems and Reform fighting for third place on 12/14 per cent (Poll shows Herefordshire results will be much closer this time, January 16).

The latest YouGov opinion poll gives Labour a 27 per cent national lead over the Conservatives compared with being 12 per cent behind at the 2019 general election. In Hereford and South Herefordshire Labour came second in 2017 and 2019 with more votes than all the other opposition candidates added together.

The main takeaway is that Labour are in second place and voters seeking to oust the Conservative government at the next election should vote Labour.

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It is worth remembering that neither Herefordshire seat has exclusively been represented by a Conservative. Indeed the forerunner of the North Herefordshire seat had a Labour MP in Peter Temple Morris from 1998 to 2001 and Labour’s David Hallam represented Herefordshire as a member of the European Parliament between 1994 and 1999.

ANNA CODA

Former Labour MP candidate, Peterchurch