Gordon Brown has ordered his entire Government to Crewe and Nantwich this weekend in a last-minute campaigning "surge" aimed at averting a disastrous by-election defeat next week.
About 80 ministers, whips and parliamentary aides have been told to visit the Cheshire seat amid growing signs that the Conservatives will overturn Labour's 7,000-vote majority there on Thursday.
"It's all hands to the pump – they've all been told they have to be there unless they have a good excuse," said a senior source. "We need everyone we can get."
Following this month's disastrous local election results and a string of rows with his party, Mr Brown's fragile political authority could be badly hurt by a by-election loss.

Crewe and Nantwich by-election: Gordon Brown orders 80 ministers to join surge - Telegraph

Will sending the faceless non entities make any difference ?
At least Brown has the good sense to steer well clear , to have joe public berating him on every street corner may be a bit embarrassing.

With virtually the entire Government campaigning in Crewe at least we can feel safe in the knowledge the country is being well run ...