On the campaign trail with Cherie Blair and Hove MP Celia Barlow

WE hit the campaign trail today in Hove with Cherie Blair ... and our Labour MP Celia Barlow.

And one clear message from young mums, elderly people and young working couples in the streets of the country's 10th key marginal seat was this: "We don't really want a Tory government!"

Yes, sure, there are people who have been charmed by Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats - but a vote for his party in Hove on Thursday WILL return a Conservative to Parliament. No question.

And as one mother told me: "That doesn't bear thinking about."

Cherie arrived at Labour's Hove HQ just after lunchtime - munching Pringles. "Sour cheese and onion, my favourite," she said, while offering them around the small gathering of campaign volunteers. "Too many calories for me," I told her, politely declining them.

I've been on a fitness drive since Christmas and lost 10kilos - and after a chaotic day, treading the streets and canvassing support for Celia, I reckon I can keep off the Wii-Fit for at least a week.

In fact, my wife Yulia and I treated ourselves to a Chinese Takeaway tonight - after all the miles we covered on foot.

Cherie and Celia strolled into the town centre and spoke to many passers-by. Some wanted to have their photo taken with Cherie, others wanted to shake her hand and congratulate her charity work, while a few people wanted to discuss politics.

She knows a thing or two on that subject as the wife of a former Prime Minister. One thing which impressed me was her warmness, which just transmits to everyone she meets. Everyone was smiling after meeting her.

My day started racing around town, dropping off reminder leaflets to Labour supporters - to make sure they are not complacent and ensure that Hove does not turn blue. It is going to be a close call - and one Labour activist told me they were expecting at least one recount this year.

We hooked up with Celia - doorknocking around Portslade at tea-time.

Celia, like myself, is also a journalist - cutting her teeth as a reporter on the Bradford Telegraph and Argus, before becoming home news editor of the BBC.

Doorknocking and chatting to local people is clearly her forte. So many people were delighted to see their local MP at their front door, debating the election issues.

The most startling story of the day came from Mrs Dykes, who lives in Vale Road, Portslade.

"David Cameron visited my grandson's school in Hove recently," she told me. "And when he asked a question, as well as mention he prefers Gordon Brown, the teachers quietly removed him from the assembly."

Apparently, the school is very political with many Conservative members or activists, either on the PTA or board of governors.

"The last thing they want is a "Labour" kid in their ranks," she added.

One elderly lady told me she would be voting for Labour because "they have always been the party that looks after the majority, even now .. the winter fuel allowance I receive every year is so helpful."

Another young mum explained: "Celia will be getting my vote! The child tax credits are something Labour brought him and have promised to keep. I don't want to risk losing it, I can't afford it."

The Labour activists in the town are telling me that they are hitting a 40 per cent approval rating on doors they are knocking. If that was to be repeated on election day, Celia will win by a landslide.

However, even the loyal Labour volunteers, admit they cannot be sure how accurate their findings are.

One told me today: "It's going to be very, very, very close. There are still a lot of undecided voters out there - and the key point is that Hove doesn't want a Conservative MP. But if they vote Lib Dem, or even Green, they are going to get that."

Labour has not been perfect - but when you have been in power for 13 years you cannot expect for them to get every single thing right.

However, there have been so many achievements, Gordon Brown listed some of them today, which I've included in the previous blog!

We finally got home about 9pm tonight to complete darkness - as Hove had just been hit by a powercut. Thankfully, the lights came back on pretty quickly and we were able to enjoy a nice sweet and sour chicken.

On Friday morning, I hope sweet doesn't turn into sour with a Tory government ... and that the lights continue to shine for our country!

Vote Labour .. on May 6 - and keep out the Tories.