THE Labour candidate in the Hartlepool by-election has accused the Liberal Democrats of forming an alliance with the Conservatives.

But the claim was last night dismissed by the Lib Dems, who described it as laughable.

In an e-mail to Labour Party members, Iain Wright said he could see Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy serving in a government under Michael Howard.

He also accused the Lib Dems of moving closer to the Tories by following a right- wing policy agenda.

Mr Wright wrote: "It is pretty clear that the Lib Dems and the Tories are moving together - Charles Kennedy's hostility to the Labour Party is so great, it is easy to imagine him serving in government under Michael Howard.

"We already know that, in Hartlepool, the Lib Dems and Tories were happy to work together and to introduce damaging spending cuts that put public safety at risk.

"That is why the choice in Hartlepool remains between Labour and the Tories - in whatever guise they appear.

"Here in Hartlepool, the Lib Dems are desperately trying to pick up the Tories' votes.

"Their leading figures are proposing ever more right- wing policies, including the destruction of the NHS and its replacement by a social insurance system.

"Next week, the leading Lib Dems are to publish a new policy book in which they float that very idea."

Lib Dem election agent Richard Pinnock said: "The claim of an alliance is laughable and smacks of desperation. It shows just how worried Labour are in Hartlepool, and with good reason. Jody Dunn has hit the ground running and is the clear challenger to Labour."

Responding to Labour claims on Lib Dem NHS policy, he said: "The Labour candidate would do well to read the Lib Dem manifesto on health. He would find that the Lib Dems are the only party fully committed to the founding principles of the NHS - the provision of comprehensive treatment free of charge at the point of delivery funded through general taxation.

"Many people will see this as a desperate attempt to deflect discussion of Labour's plans to downgrade or close Hartlepool's Hospital."

The by-election was caused by sitting MP and former Cabinet minister Peter Mandelson's appointment as an EU Commissioner.

The other candidates so far named for the by-election are Jody Dunn (Liberal Democrat), the Reverend Richard Rogers (the Common Good Party), John Bloom (Respect), Jim Starkey (National Front) and Stephen Allison (UKIP).

The Conservatives are yet to choose a candidate.

Lib Dems 'can overhaul 14,000 majority'

A LIBERAL Democrat who overhauled a massive Labour majority in a by-election last year is confident history will repeat itself in Hartlepool.

Sarah Teather, who won the Brent East by-election, in north London, in September, has been in Hartlepool to support candidate Jody Dunn.

Ms Teather also helped the recent campaigns where they overturned a 13,000 Labour majority to win in Leicester South, and came within 460 votes of another upset in Hodge Hill, Birmingham.

In Brent East, Ms Teather recorded a 29 per cent swing to wipe out Labour's General Election majority of 13,047 and inflict the party's first by-election defeat for 15 years.

The Lib Dems need a similar turnaround to overcome Peter Mandelson's 14,057 majority, but Ms Teather believes it can be done.

"Brent East was the turning point," she said. "The time was right, as people had a massive mistrust of the Government and that has not gone away.

"We proved in Leicester South and Hodge Hill that we can collect a huge number of votes in what are regarded as Labour strongholds, and we can certainly do it here."