Newspapers predict Lib Dem win

"Leicester South.. could give Liberal Democrats the chance to follow up their triumph last September at Brent East. Analysis by PA News shows they would have comfortably taken the seat on the basis of votes cast in the constituency [last year].. Liberal Democrats averaged 10,838 (42.2%), Labour 6,997 (27.2%), Tories 5,203 (20.3%)."- Press Association

"Labour strategists admit that.. they have a tough job to hold Charles Kennedy's party at bay.. the Liberal Democrats have a strong local base.. in the Leicester South area they have done particularly well, scoring 42% of the vote.. The Conservatives will face a fight to avoid falling into third place." - The Times

"Lib Dems are the largest group on Leicester city council.. the party would comfortably take the seat on the basis of votes in last May's city council elections." - The Guardian

"... the Lib Dems have won key council seats like Spinney Hill and Stoneygate, and war in Iraq has fuelled anti-Government feeling. Lib Dem strategists believe they are favourites to win this time." - Leicester Mercury

"LABOUR is in serious danger of losing one of its safe seats in a by-election.. in Leicester South.. with the Liberal Democrats best placed to pull off a rout.. The last by-election in Brent East last September saw the Lib-Dems overturn a similar majority" - London Evening Standard

"anti-war sentiment will help [the Lib Dems] grab the [Leicester South] seat in a by-election" - Daily Express