FIRST POLLS OF THE 2010 ELECTION CAMPAIGN PREDICT MASSIVE VICTORY FOR LOCAL LIBERAL DEMOCRAT SANDY WALKINGTON

9.52.25pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 15th Apr 2010

Sandy outpolls rivals at Green Hustings

Sandy leads in online poll on St Albans People Website

The first vote of the 2010 election among members of the audience at Tuesday's Green Hustings at the Marlborough Road Methodist Church in St Albans produced a massive victory for Liberal Democrat candidate Sandy Walkington. 41% of those present at the event organised by the politically neutral Friends of the Earth voted for Sandy, easily enough for him to gain the St Albans parliamentary seat if repeated at the General Election on May 6th.

Interestingly his lead is even more pronounced in an online poll being carried by the local St Albans People website where his share of votes currently stands at 58%.

Commenting on these results, Sandy said: "It is gratifying to get this early confirmation of what we are hearing from thousands of people on the doorstep. One poll puts Labour a distant second, the other puts the Conservatives equally far behind, but they are in total agreement that Liberal Democrats are way out ahead in the battle for St Albans. People are desperate for change, they believe the Liberal Democrats will deliver it. The huge number of Liberal Democrat poster boards and window bills across the city and district is further proof of the momentum building behind our campaign."