WHERE are all the posters? During previous elections, countless York voters plastered placards all over the double glazing to show support for their favoured candidate.

But there is hardly any window dressing this year. Except in that hotbed of politics, York's riverside.

This is home to Hugh Bayley, the man who hopes to be re-elected York's MP. Sure enough, his house sports a poster exhorting skinny dippers, boating folk and cyclists to "Vote Labour".

A fair few neighbours give a similarly public show of support - although a house three doors down bears this message: "Blair again? No thank you. We'll vote Liberal Democrat."

A short walk towards the city brings more bad news for the Labour man. Two signs are staked in the front garden of an Ouse-fronted bungalow: "Which Tory Party Will You Vote For???" asks one, and the other states: "Bush-Blair-Bayley = War".

Little point in canvassing there, then, Hugh.

Sandringham Street, adjoining the river, is a place of mixed political feelings. A home belonging to a prominent public transport enthusiast insists we Vote Green; the household across the road backs the Lib Dems with "Andrew Waller Winning Here"; and next door insists "Hugh Bayley: Vote Labour".

Our favourite slogan, though, is seen on a church-like window on Fawcett Street, near its junction with Fishergate.

"Never Vote For Anybody. Always Vote Against".

NO Tory posters spotted so far, but we're sure they're out there.

Meanwhile, York candidate Clive Booth is making his presence felt with his glossy leaflet. In an open letter to the Westminster wannabe, Ken Pitcher, of Covent House, York, said it provided him and his friends with "tremendous fun".

They were particularly taken with the front cover shot, one of no fewer than ten pictures of Clive. "The black polo neck and leather jacket caught our interest, slightly incongruous if I may say as you have only appeared in shirt and tie before.

"We thought you might be trying for the 'Gay Gangster' look."

Turning his attention to the text, Ken notes "the last line on your introductory comment - 'Vote for one on May 5th'. Ooh Clive, very la-di-da!

"Don't worry Clive," he concludes, "the other parties leaflets got the same treatment, we just thought yours was special."

HUNTINGDON can trace its history back 800 years. The Cambridgeshire town boasts a famous ex-MP: Oliver Cromwell (some guy called John Major later represented the constituency).

Huntingdon is perched on the River Ouse, boasts its own racecourse and has a woman mayor - but is that any reason to give directions to the place from Heworth Green in York?

Chris Titley

Updated: 11:05 Friday, April 29, 2005