Reg Clark

In his keynote speech to the Liberal Democrat Conference, Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has outlined his goals for the Government and the country over the coming years. He reiterated his commitment to liberal values on the environment and human rights and his determination to ensure a fair chance for every child, saying "every child can do good things, great things, if only we give them the opportunities they deserve."

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As we enter the final stages of the 2010 General Election Campaign nothing has changed my final message to the voters of Hartlepool - if you want to bring this discredited and worn out Labour government to book, then only a vote for the Liberal Democrats tomorrow will achieve this. What has changed over the past four weeks our likelihood of success in Hartlepool and the whole country. All credit to Nick Clegg for an outstanding campaign. The leaders debates have finally given us an even platform to show what we can do and Nick well and truly nailed it.

Reg Clark has criticised the coverage of the General Election by the Hartlepool Mail. He comments:

'In recent days we have had a situation whereby a national polling organization YouGov has, based on regional data, predicated a Liberal Democrat victory in Hartlepool. Whereas The Northern Echo, who commissioned the poll, ran the story on its front page the Hartlepool Mail astonishingly decided not to feature this story on any page.

Hartlepool Tory candidate Alan Wright's attempts to turn the Election in the town into a single issue referendum on the local hospital suffered a further setback as a result of his performance during a live BBC Radio Tees debate between the four main party candidates yesterday.

The Tories, who finished third with only 4,058 votes in the 2005 Election, have promised to keep the University Hospital of Hartlepool open if their party is elected to power, but only if also they win in Hartlepool.

Last night was the final of the three televised Leaders' debates. Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, debated with Gordon Brown and David Cameron about the economy. Subjects discussed included breaking up the banks, creating more jobs and reinvigorating the British economy.

Most post-debate polls scored this final debate to David Cameron, but again put Nick Clegg clearly ahead of Gordon Brown. An analysis by pollsters Angus Reid of previously undecided voters who watched the debate gave Nick Clegg 37%, David Cameron 25%, Gordon Brown 22% and Not sure 16%. Angus Reid found that 32% of undecided voters say they are now more likely to vote for the Liberal Democrats after watching the final debate, with just 18% Conservative and 15% Labour.

The first public meeting featuring the three candidates of the main parties in Hartlepool, hosted by the PSC Union last night at the Belle Vue Sports Club featured a chilling example of the old style 'Punch and Judy' politics from the Labour and Tory candidates.

Labour candidate Iain Wright accused Tory Alan Wright, of having jumped from Labour to Tory for 'personal gain'. Interpreting this as an allegation of entering politics for financial gain, Wright demanded a retraction sparking a 20 minute stand up argument including threats of legal action.

The Hartlepool Liberal Democrat Candidate Reg Clark attended the Workers Memorial Day Service organized by the Hartlepool Trades Union Council at the Hartlepool Art Gallery today.

The day commemorates those workers in the Hartlepool area who have lost their lives through Industrial Accident or Disease.

An average of five polls conducted immediately after the Sky TV Leaders Election debate on Thursday night put Nick Clegg as the winner, with all instant polls showing him ahead of Gordon Brown. After the Foreign Affairs-led debate from Bristol dominated by issues like Iraq, immigration and climate change, Nick Clegg won 3 of the 5 polls on the night, building on his position after the first debate.

The second Party Leaders Debate is taking place this Thursday starting at 8pm on Sky News. Nick Clegg, Gordon Brown and David Cameron will again be going head to head in a TV debate in the run up to the General Election on May 6th, this time leading on Foreign Affairs.

The first half of the 90 minute Election Debate on Sky News will be devoted to Foreign Affairs, with the rest on any topic. The debate comes from Bristol, and will be chaired by Adam Boulton. Sky are inviting questions before the debate, with more information at http://news.sky.com/skynews/Election/debatequestion