SEVEN candidates will contest NE Cambs in the forthcoming General Election including the BNP and the English Democrats. When nominations closed this afternoon it marked the beginning of the campaign officially as all seven candidates battle it out to win

SEVEN candidates will contest NE Cambs in the forthcoming General Election including the BNP and the English Democrats.

When nominations closed this afternoon it marked the beginning of the campaign officially as all seven candidates battle it out to win the seat left vacant by the retirement of Malcolm Moss.

The Conservatives are hot favourites to retain the seat and Steve Barclay is hopeful of building on the near 8,000 majority he inherits from Mr Moss.

Chances of an electoral upset seem unlikely but a broad field of candidates could pose hazards for Mr Barclay.

Independent Debra Jordan has promised to be "a real Fen tiger fighting for you".

She believes her lack of political affiliations would be a blessing in the House of Commons.

Ms Jordan, who has lived in North East Cambs for 46 years, said: "I will not be whipped or bullied in any party political arena to tow the line."

Robin Lee Talbot stands for the UK Independence Party and hopes anti-Europe protests will take votes away from the main parties.

The 36-year-old tanker driver has a military background and is a self-confessed action man, listing rugby and skydiving as his hobbies.

Graham Murphy says he is looking for a change from "tweedledee and tweedledum parties".

The English Democrat candidate used to be a Conservative councillor in Peterborough before he switched parties.

He believes he can offer "a unique opportunity to abandon the left-right see-saw and aim for pride in England through real democracy".

Susan Clapp is the British National Party's candidate.

She is the long-term partner of Eddy Butler, the head of the party's elections department and serves as a councillor in Epping Forest, Essex.

Labour's Peter Roberts has issued what he terms a 'contract' to voters, insisting that 25 per cent of his Parliamentary salary will be set aside for the community is he is elected.

He will also publish his expenses and campaign for greater public transport in Fenland, including a rail link between Wisbech and March.

Liberal Democrat candidate Lorna Spenceley says Dave Patrick's shock win at a council by election in Wisbech shows she is "fighting to win".

Also delighted by Nick Clegg's national triumph in opinion polls, she said: "I don't go into anything half heartedly.

"There is a long Liberal tradition in the Fens and many people still remember that Clement Freud was the Liberal MP here for many years."

She added that her party was committed to electoral reform and giving power back to the people.

She said: "People want to feel confident that the person they have elected is putting forward their interests."

Mr Barclay is not taking things for granted and canvassers have been out daily and he has visited several local businesses.

"The next Parliament has a huge task if it is to rebuild trust," he says.

"It needs to focus on tackling conflicts of interest, unfairness and abuses of process to help improve the relevance of Parliament and deliver better value for money.

"It might not generate headlines but tackling issues like this would be more noteworthy than the spin we have seen in recent years.