Self-styled Romsey Redhead, Sandra Gidley MP, admits she is spluttering. Tory opponent Caroline Nokes, 32, says in an article in the current March issue of Glamour that the famous 1997 photos of “Blair’s Babes” inspired her to seek election for the Tories . Just like that all of a sudden. Nothing to do with her working for a Tory MEP since 1994 or being a Tory councillor or even getting A BA in Politics from Sussex University.

They seem to have inspired her to pose for some fetching photos as well. The Tory Romsey candidate confides to Glamour magazine’s readers during a photo-shoot: “I’ve been told I’m too pretty to be in politics”, but pretty clever to have mailed out 4,000 Valentines cards to voters ‘Because you’re special’ reads the inscription that amused Romsey’s wives yesterday. Nokes sent out the cards to prospective constituents – with an oh-so-romantic survey on policy priorities. Nokes reckons “Leaflets often go straight in the bin, but who’s going to throw away a Valentine’s card?”

Guido has not got his hands on the Glamour pictures (yet) but here is a chance to compare the Tory candidate and the Liberal incumbent. Will the Valentine’s card and looks alone swing the required 1186 votes Nokes’ way?