When Martin Bell stood against Neil Hamilton it was in a general election, not a by-election. The turnout will likely be low, favouring the Tory. In addition, Bell stood against the sleazeball Hamilton. In this by-election, Paterson isn't standing. Nice idea, but overwhelmingly likely to be a damp squib and another chance for Johnson to do his sword of truth bit. So I'm with Labour on this. Just an ordinary by-election will do. The Tories will almost certainly win anyway.