I have written before about why I am a Liberal Democrat and my belief in our party’s commitment to a freedom I can believe in. I’ve also confessed my former association with the Conservatives.

Now I have to confess to having woken with a spring in my step when the “new dawn” of Blair’s term as Prime Minister began on the 2nd May 1997, even though I didn’t vote Labour then, never have and doubt I ever will.

It didn’t take long for disillusion to set in. Members of my family and close friends marched against the war in Iraq, I would have been there too if I could. Too many Tory policies were kept on. The party was too cosy with the City while, as it turned out, turning a blind eye to the excesses and dangers of deregulation. Progress on fairness was put on the back boiler for too long.

Good things were done however; essential investment in schools, universities hospitals and the transport infrastructure, among them, but probably at too high a price. In the end New Labour was at its worst when it was too much like the Conservatives and that was far too often.

Now the Guardian journalist and commentator John Kampfner has encapsulated exactly what I feel in an excellent article and pamphlet.

If you had hope in the New Labour project read these and think carefully where to cast your vote in the coming election.

Did Helen Southworth live up to your expectations? Will the smooth message from David Mowat, oiled by money from the Ashcroft cash machine and his own resources, sway you? Will brainy Nick Bent’s infantile campaign, supported by an enthusiastic bunch of schoolboys, impress you? Or will you vote for fairness, principled politics and the best interests of Warrington by voting for Jo Crotty?

If your are interested in the ideas behind the politics of the coming election I strongly urge you to read John Kampfner’s article and pamphlet.