“…The Observer has discovered widespead evidence of a Faustian pact between political parties, with candidates on all sides using ingenious ruses to keep declared expenses below the limit.

Some candidates claimed to have begun their campaigns half way through April, although Prime Minister John Major had fired the starting pistol on 17 March. Large amounts of money were spent on techniques such as telephone canvassing, sending free videos to first-time voters and touring on campaign buses. But this appeared on few candidates’ expenses…..” – Observer, April 11 1999