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  • "The simple truth always is, you don't have to scratch the surface of the Tory party very much to expose their right wing, upper class, fat cat leanings.
    .
    They may talk moderate, but do you really think Cameron is strong enough to stop the "old guard" in the Tory party putting the upper classes and big business chums ahead of social services etc?.
    .
    And as for George Osbourne, the Eton schoolboy multimillionairre, what does he have in common with 99.9% of the UK population? I also wouldn't trust him with £10 pocket money a month, let alone the UK economy."
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Gordon Brown calls a general election for May 6, 2010

10:40am Tuesday 6th April 2010 in News Photograph of the Author By Matt Smith , Politics and business reporter

Gordon Brown outside 10 Downing Street Gordon Brown outside 10 Downing Street

THE date has been set for the UK to go to the polls after the Prime Minister called a general election.

While campaigning has been under way for months Prime Minister Gordon Brown this morning went to Buckingham Palace to formally seek a dissolution of Parliament.

The long awaited move has set the stage for an election on May 6, alongside local council polls.

Parliament will be dissolved next Monday.

The Daily Echo will be featuring comprehensive coverage of the campaign across south Hampshire in the coming weeks.

Today we introduce video profiles of the main candidates explaining why they feel they deserve your vote.

The electoral map has changed somewhat since the last general election in 2005 with some minor boundaries changes and the creation of a new constituency in Meon Valley, largely from parts of Winchester and East Hampshire, and some 600 voters from Havant.

For the Conservatives to win a working majority and end 13 years of a Labour Government they must paint most of south Hampshire blue.

They need a huge swing in the share of the national vote of about seven per cent, or a ten point poll lead to avoid a hung parliament.

Liberal Democrat seats in Romsey, Eastleigh and Winchester, are top Tory targets.

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Romsey MP Sandra Gidley held her seat in 2005 with the slimmest of majorities – just 125 votes. Tory challenger Caroline Nokes hopes she can go one better this time and take the seat.

Lib Dems also face a battle to hold their Winchester seat where shamed MP Mark Oaten is standing down after 13 years.

Eastleigh MP and former leadership contender Chris Huhne is the highest profile Lib Dem with a vulnerable majority, of 1.1 per cent.

Meanwhile, Labour will be fighting to hold its two seats in Southampton where Cabinet minister John Denham and Alan Whitehead face a battle with leading Tory city councillors Royston Smith and Jeremy Moulton.

COUNTDOWN TO GENERAL ELECTION

This is the likely timetable in the run-up to polling day:

:: Tuesday April 6

The Prime Minister asks the Queen to dissolve Parliament and announces the date to the public.

:: Tuesday April 6 to Thursday April 8/Friday April 9

Parliamentary ''wash-up'' period, as loose ends of legislation are tied up.

:: Monday April 12

Parliament is officially dissolved. Writs are issued for each of the 650 constituencies.

:: Tuesday April 20

Nomination papers for candidates must be submitted by 4pm. Candidate lists published after 5pm. Last day for voter registration and to apply for a postal vote.

:: Tuesday April 27

Last day to apply for a proxy vote.

:: Thursday May 6

Polling day, with polls open from 7am to 10pm.

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