UK-elections-2007: Hot Gossip from the Corridors of Power 1

Someone's just asked the Press Officers whether any of the MPs are here. Names are reeled off. Except one of them. John Leech MP is actually here, snarling and grimacing, but he does not really have the aura required to cut through.

There are more Tories in the Town Hall tonight than any one has a right to expect given their inactivity over the last months. Not a single flier in most of Manchester's 32 wards. It's all very well for Iain Dale to big up his party for standing the most candidates, but these ones are sitting or lying down.

Have talked to a number of our candidates. There are quite a few seats this time which we are attacking where it is almost impossible to tell how it has gone.

As usual there are also a few candidates with substantial majorities who should be relaxing, but many of them are jumpy. The Lib Dems however are worse. More anon.