In the mean time, though, a quick note that Nigel Bakhai’s Southall HQ is very busy with Liberal Democrat members and supporters today but that we can, of course, always do with more help. So if there’s any way you can get here between now and the close of poll (10pm) tomorrow, please do. We’ll be open late this evening and from very early tomorrow morning, so please get across to Southall whenever you can. Directions to the campaign nerve centre are here. And, of course, if it’s easier for you to get to Sedgefield to help Greg Stone’s excellent campaign up there, please go as soon as possible – directions are here.

Dear Ealing Council,

I just thought I should let you know there’s a parliamentary by-election on, in case you hadn’t noticed.

Yours,

A. Geek

The most likely explanation, of course, is that the council’s electoral administration department are completely snowed under – not surprising given the absurdly short timescale to which they are being made to work. No doubt wary of the challenge from the Liberal Democrats, Labour have called a quick by-election – although the council in Ealing had a week’s more notice than in Sedgefield.

It’s interesting to note from the notice of the concurrent Ealing Council by-election that the deadline for nominations was Friday 22nd June – almost a week before the writ for the parliamentary by-election had been moved. What a bizarre democracy we live in where a council by-election takes longer than a parliamentary one.

More here.

Here’s a video on the subject from the party’s Chief Executive, Lord Rennard: