JO Hayes says she is excited by the challenge of causing an upset in what is thought to be one of the safest Tory seats in the country.

The Lib Dem candidate for Witham sees the May 7 poll as a two-way fight between her and former MP Priti Patel, after the party came second in 2010.

To overcome Ms Patel’s 15,196 majority all that needs to happen, she believes, is for everyone who does not want a Tory MP to vote for her instead of Labour or the Greens.

It is a point she tries to sell to Labour voter Ron Clarke, during a meet and greet session in the Newlands Centre in Witham.

Mr Clarke, 83, told her he was still angry at the banks for their role in the financial crisis of 2008.

Mrs Hayes said she was also “very angry” and quickly segued into her main campaign theme.

She said: “The real choice is between me and the Conservative, who hasn’t been saying anything about the banks.

“When you read my leaflets, which should be coming through your door any day now, you’ll see I have lots to say about them.”

It is a theme she repeats to anyone who finds the time to stop and chat.

Her campaign has begun with a focus on leaflet dropping rather than intensive door-to-door canvassing, partly because of the rural nature of the constituency.

The glossy booklet she hands me – The Parishes’ Voice – looks more like a village magazine than a campaign leaflet.

This is chiefly because, unless you look closely, you will not see any Lib Dem logos in it, nor any mention of leader Nick Clegg. Is that because his ‘brand’ has become toxic?

Ms Hayes insists: “It’s just because I am the candidate and people need to get to know me.”

But Mr Clarke’s views provide an indication of just how tough it will be to swing Labour voters like him.

He said: “I didn’t agree with Clegg and his policies, or supporting the Conservatives.

"He should have spoken up more against a lot of what they have passed."