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Weekly in bid to register 17,000 voters in England’s closest marginal seat

A campaign to get 17,000 missing voters to register in what was the closest marginal seat in England at the 2010 General Election has been launched by a weekly newspaper.

The Hampstead & Highgate Express has unveiled its Make Your Mark campaign, calling on readers to register in the Hampstead and Kilburn constituency, by the 20 April deadline.

Five years ago the seat, a new creation following a boundary review, was won by Labour’s Glenda Jackson with 17,332 votes.

She polled just 42 more than Tory candidate Chris Philp (17,290), while Liberal Democrat Edward Fordham (16,491) finished 841 votes behind the victor – with a 66.3pc turnout in the constituency.

Ham & High campaign

Actor Tom Conti and author Kathy Lette, who both live in the area, have already lent their backing to the Ham & High’s push.

The Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat candidates for the seat have also added their support.

Geoff Martin, Ham & High editor-in-chief, said: “The Hampstead and Kilburn seat was on a knife edge last time around when only a few dozen votes decided the outcome. It could be as close this time around and we think it will be.

“People need to vote if they are to end up with the MPs and government they want and we’re working hard to make sure every voice in the constituency is heard on 7 May.”

News editor Emma Youle added: “It only takes a few minutes to register to vote and in Hampstead and Kilburn every vote really will count.

“All the predictions show this election is too close to call and the eyes of the country will be on Hampstead and Kilburn on election night.

“We hope as many of the missing 17,000 voters as possible sign up to have their say before the 20 April deadline.”