Tory Opportunity As Lib Dem Stalwart Retires

The Liberal Democrats are battling to hold off the Conservatives in Berwick-upon-Tweed, a seat that has been in Lib Dem hands since 1973. The main problem for the party is that for those 42 years one man has run the show - the MP Alan Beith - and he is retiring. The Conservatives, who missed out on victory by some 2,500 votes in 2010, know that the veteran and respected departure can only help their prospects. Jeremy Browne is also standing down from his seat in Taunton Deane.