On the back of Nick Clegg’s performance in Thursday’s so-called “leaders' debate”, Ladbrokes has dramatically narrowed the odds for a Lib Dem win in Pendle from 40/1 to 16/1.

Afzal Anwar is by far and away the weakest Lib Dem ever to challenge me in Pendle. Why they chose him as their standard bearer is a complete mystery to me.

Without wishing to be personal in any way, Anwar was an embarrassment in the first hustings last week, organised by the RSPB. On a number of occasions he didn’t quite understand the question that was put to him. His rambling answers convinced no-one. And he is a barrister.

Maybe, after a nervous and uncomfortable start, he will perform brilliantly at tomorrow’s hustings in Nelson.

We shall see.

If votes seep away to Anwar as a result of the “Clegg effect” then we shall have Andrew Stephenson as Pendle’s Conservative MP on 7 May.

I’d bet on it.