Richard Fuller, friend or foe?

Between now and the General Election on May 7 I'm highlighting a series of 'target seats', those where the candidate standing for re-election has supported anti-tobacco policies, and those where a leading candidate is an opponent of excessive lifestyle regulations and policies that infantilise us all. With a few exceptions I'm focussing on marginal or semi-marginal seats.

#23 - Bedford
This is where it begins to get complicated. Elected in 2010, Richard Fuller is defending an extremely marginal seat. In February 2014 and February 2015 he voted against a ban on smoking in private vehicles with children present, and in March 2015 he voted against plain packaging of tobacco. Curiously, however, in October 2010 he voted against David Nuttall's amendment to the smoking ban!!!!! On balance, given his most recent voting record which suggests friend rather than foe, we'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

2010 majority: 1,353 (3.0%)
Estimated number of smokers in Bedford: 13,688*
Principal opponent: Labour
Friend or foe: Friend
Target rating: Vulnerable

*Based on 20% of the registered electorate in 2010

Note: marginal seats have been defined as those with majorities of 10% or less that require a swing of 5% for the incumbent party to lose.