Have just seen this very interesting post on the Sheffield Hallam page of the UK Polling Report blog. It purports to be from a certain Sir Irvine Patnick whom you may remember as the former Tory MP for Sheffield Hallam:

"As a former MP for this constituency, it is interesting how the electorate has changed quite significantly in this constituency even in the last 10 years. Whereas in 1997 there was a strong anti-Conservative swing nationally, and a particularly strong Lib Dem campaign, where the Labour vote actually fell, there has been no evidence to suggest that the Conservatives are in any better position here than they were in 1997- in fact our vote has fallen even further.

"I do firmly believe that there has been a recent demographic shift here from the ‘old money’ that got me elected in 1987, to a substantial public sector proportion of the electorate who feel naturally inclined to the Liberals. Whether or not the Conservatives can reverse their downward trend remains to be seen, but I doubt I will live to see this seat elect another Conservative. Both Richard Allan and Nick Clegg have managed to cultivate a strong personal following in Hallam, something which is hard to break when their party has never been in office and is thus totally unaccountable."

Nice bitter parting shot there!

It may also interest readers to note that another commenter on the blog has confirmed that Tory Mike Waters will be stepping down from his council seat in Dore this may. I'll pass no comment on the alleged reasons for his retirement at this stage!