I have always said this is a word of mouth and doorstep campaign. It has to be for us as we can't compete against the Murdoch press or the Ashcroft £millions - the tax dodger funding the Tory party. His money is here in Loughborough.

We can't afford the expensive poster sites or masses of glossy leaflets.

But guess what - I don't mind. Because we are winning the ground war through the sheer hard work of a growing number of volunteers.

I have more people helping in Loughborough than we did even in 1997 when we were extremely popular! Every day people are returning to help us and more people who have never done anything political before are coming out to help the campaign.

One of the reasons is the fear of a Tory government. But for many more it is the possibility of me losing this seat. The marginality of the seat works in our favour. People have assumed for too long that I will 'be ok' and safe. Still too many voters are shocked to hear the seat is marginal. They assume I am safe. That's why many more neutrals and Lib Dem and Tory supporters and even members are out helping me.

Even Tory MPs have been phoning me this week to wish me luck and hope I get back in. For obvious reasons I cannot reveal their names but it heartening to know that we can take on the unequal battle with vigour and our heads held up high!