A NATIONAL media scrum gave a rude awakening to a normally peaceful West Hampstead estate as the opening shots were fired in a battle for a seat which could help decide who governs Britain. Residents peered from behind their curtains on the Lymington Ro

A NATIONAL media scrum gave a rude awakening to a normally peaceful West Hampstead estate as the opening shots were fired in a battle for a seat which could help decide who governs Britain.

Residents peered from behind their curtains on the Lymington Road Estate, in Lymington Road, as Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg took advantage of Bank Holiday Monday to launch his election battle bus.

He and Hampstead and Kilburn candidate, Ed Fordham were hoping to claim the new marginal seat of Hampstead and Kilburn as one of their top London gains.

Asked if the Lib Dems could win in Hampstead and Kilburn, Mr Clegg said: "We are only 474 votes from winning here. The Conservatives are out of the race.

"People thought everything was going to change in 1997. Labour promised an ethical foreign policy.

"They were responsible for an illegal war. We have a plan to restore fairness."

But Labour Candidate MP, Glenda Jackson is not prepared to lay down the powers of a parliamentary seat.

She said: "It is essentially a two horse between Labour and the Conservatives in this seat. That's how the numbers play out.

"People remember what the Conservative recessions were like which were home grown. The important thing is this recovery is very fragile and to pull the plug could be disastrous."

But Conservative candidate Chris Philp claims he is the main challenger to Labour in the seat.

He said: "For 13 years, Labour has been spending more than we can afford and not spending public money wisely. We need change."

Green candidate, Beatrix Campbell said: "Vote for who you really want to vote for.

"We can seize this time to make our society greener, cleaner, healthier and happier."

Next week we will be looking at all the other candidates.

In pole position...

Brent Central

Sarah Teather, Lib Dems

"I have worked closely with residents to campaign against post office, police station and tube closures, to defend our local health services, and for tax cuts to help people though hard times.

"Helping people is what drives me and I will continue to fight against Labour's unfair taxes and threats to our services."

Sachin Rajput, Conservatives

"If elected I would engage with communities that have been forgotten or taken for granted for far too long, and restore the proud identity of this country as a vibrant, diverse and economically prosperous nation, while promoting opportunity for all residents in Brent Central.

"I would fight crime - a particular problem in Brent - and work to create an area where residents feel safe to walk down their street."

Dawn Butler, Labour

"I have helped increase crime penalties, closed criminal loop holes. Now I want extra PCSOs on Brent's streets. On the economy I have increased support to small businesses, got people into jobs, and on the housing ladder, and protected frontline services.

"As Minister for young citizens I want Brent's young people to have a job, or training, somewhere to go and something positive to do."

Brent North

James Allie, Lib Dems

"I want to end racial profiling in policing, build mixed tenure communities, allow local authorities to build more homes, use the tax system to redistribute wealth and opportunity, extend recycling to all types of dwellings in Brent.

"I am standing to build a social democratic country and to restore the public trust in public officials."

Barry Gardiner, Labour

"I have made five pledges to safeguard the future of the family in Brent North. These are:

Invest in local jobs and skills to nurse families through the recession.

Reject a Tory wage freeze for Brent teachers, nurses, police, and firemen.

New school buildings for Copland, Alperton and Byron Court.

Bring digital screening for breast cancer to Brent residents.

Protect and improve our local parks and global environment."

Harshadbhai Patel, Conservatives

"Nearly 10,000 people are claiming Job seekers allowance in Brent - the increase in Brent last month was the largest of all the London boroughs.

"At a time that the borough needs more money to train young people the government has cut �4m from Brentin2Work.

"I will bring back training for the unemployed and encourage employers to relocate jobs here."

Hampstead and Kilburn

Labour, Glenda Jackson

"The local issues are pretty much the national issues. It is the economy. People remember the Conservatives recessions which were home grown.

"This time there has been real effort on the government's part so people can stay in their homes and jobs."

Conservative, Chris Philp

"This election is about the future of the country. It is the most important election since 1979. For 13 years, Labour has been spending more than we can afford and not spending public money wisely. We need change.

"The economy will be at the heart of the campaign both locally and nationally. The issue speaks to traders who are under pressure, such as those on the Kilburn High Road."

Lib Dem, Ed Fordham

"This is a change election and individual votes will matter - we can make Kilburn, Queen's Park and Brondesbury even better. The Lib Dems will ensure Camden and Brent work together and bring the police and health authorities round the same table. It's time we put this area first.