Lib-Dems stick to the 'old-tech' tactics in Brent

Surrounded by party volunteers Vince Cable, the politician voters would trust most to rebuild the economy, is stuffing envelopes in a nondescript Neasden office block.

"Lib-Dem campaigning is always very old-tech, but old-tech works," said Sarah Teather, the Liberal Democrat desperate to be re-elected as an MP. "You can phone people with electronic voicemail systems but there is nothing like turning up on their doorstep."

Ms Teather is fighting Labour MP Dawn Butler for the newly-created seat of Brent Central, formed after boundary changes combined their previous constituencies of Brent East and Brent South. Labour has a notional majority of 7,469 in the new constituency. In contrast to the Lib-Dems' workmanlike campaign, Ms Butler promises a "carnival atmosphere" in her re-election bid. Her flyers picture her alongside Barack Obama and David Beckham.

The contest has been given added spice as both candidates have made unsubtle references to each other's expenses in their campaign literature. Ms Teather claimed nothing in second-home allowances; Ms Butler received £66,304 (but denies she bought a Jacuzzi-style bath) while having another property in Stratford.

Mr Cable, the Lib-Dem Treasury spokesman, joined Ms Teather on a visit to Brent firm Stage Technologies, which provides infrastructure for theatrical productions, including the flying car in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The company employs 170 people in the UK and abroad and has a £23 million annual turnover. Mark Ager, Stage Technologies' managing director who invited the Lib-Dems to his factory, said: "The fact that the pound has gone down [in value] is actually brilliant. What I would like to hear is politicians saying we have got to get this country exporting."

Ms Teather claims to be winning the battle of the posters - with Mr Cable's help, the party will send out 10,000. A street covered in Lib-Dem literature is called a "yellow brick road".

When Ms Teather, 35, won Brent East in a 2003 by-election, it was Tony Blair's first defeat and she admits that seeing it return to Labour would be a huge blow to her party.

Ms Butler, 40, is not taking victory for granted. She hopes the same-day borough elections and the chance to vote against the Lib-Dem council will boost Labour support. Asked about her expenses claims, she said: "I think people will judge me on the work I have done in the Government, in the constituency and in Parliament for the people of Brent.

"If people ask me straight questions I give them straight answers... I didn't do anything wrong."

Candidates: Shahrar Ali (Green), Dawn Butler (Lab), Abdi Duale (Respect), Sachin Rajput (Con), David Stevens (English Democrats), Sarah Teather (Lib-Dem)

2005 Result: Did not exist.

Swing needed for Lib-Dems to win: 9.5 per cent (Number 114 of most winnable seats for Lib-Dems)

Ladbrokes odds: Labour 8/13, Lib-Dems 6/5. Con 100/1

Demographics: Born outside UK: 47 per cent. White: 47 per cent. Black: 25.9 per cent. Asian: 19.8 per cent. Christian: 54 per cent. Hindu: 11 per cent. Muslim: 12.6 per cent.