It’s hard to think of a more relaxing place to sit than Cathedral Square in the centre of Peterborough on a sunny day. Yet beneath the calm exterior, a fierce battle is taking place here between the political parties hoping to win tomorrow’s by-election, to see who will replace the disgraced former Labour MP Fiona Onasanya.
Looking down the Long Causeway which leads on to Cathedral square, you can see the stands of several political parties dotted down the street, manned by dedicated volunteers. And while they are generally cordial to one another, their proximity is flaring up into mini turf wars.
Less than 10 yards away from the Brexit party stand, a Birmingham clergyman called Dick Rogers engages passers-by. He is standing for the Common Good: Remain in the EU party (he tells Mr S the electoral commission gives you a maximum of six words for party names – and he has seized the opportunity), and walks around his handmade cart and bike, festooned with the flags of European countries, wearing a small microphone extolling the virtues of the EU.
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