HARTLEPOOL BADLY SERVED BY SAME OLD 'PUNCH AND JUDY' POLITICS

1.50.27pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 29th Apr 2010

The first public meeting featuring the three candidates of the main parties in Hartlepool, hosted by the PSC Union last night at the Belle Vue Sports Club featured a chilling example of the old style 'Punch and Judy' politics from the Labour and Tory candidates.

Labour candidate Iain Wright accused Tory Alan Wright, of having jumped from Labour to Tory for 'personal gain'. Interpreting this as an allegation of entering politics for financial gain, Wright demanded a retraction sparking a 20 minute stand up argument including threats of legal action.

Liberal Democrat candidate Reg Clark criticised Wright for an 'extraordinary and pompous over-reaction' and was appalled by the descent into a pointless slanging match at a time when serious national and local issues were being debated.

The UKIP candidate failed to turn up for the meeting.