Escaping election overkill

In the first of a weekly series, Paul Roberts of Lundy Island, possibly the least political community in the UK, provides an insight into life far from the hustings.

Lundy Island, a beautiful but isolated hideaway off the coast of north Devon, has long specialised in turning its back on the rest of the world.

There are no TV sets or newspapers available in the cottages used by the islanders and visitors. Access to the single phone line and internet connection in the hotel is strictly limited.

Puffin Punter: New target group for canvassers?

In 1997, Lundy Island achieved what is believed to have been a new record low election turnout of 0%.

The islanders (19 people, various sheep and a colony of rare but politically naive puffins) may thus hold one of the keys to the general election.

If one of them decides to vote this time around, the resulting statistical swing will be of tidal-wave proportions.

But thus far, says island manager Paul Roberts, the campaign has failed to generate much excitement among the locals.

None of the islanders, Mr Roberts believes, heard that the Conservatives have already issued a manifesto. News that the Labour party is campaigning under the slogan, "The Work Goes On" elicits stares of blank indifference.

Election - what election?

"We had a canvasser over here a few years ago," Mr Roberts says. "I think he was from Devon county council. He might have been a Liberal Democrat. But I'm not sure."

Lundy Island: "We want to be alone"

The islanders first listened politely, then completely ignored the interloper.

During the 1992 general election, Lundy became briefly famous when a group of campers turned up spontaneously, fleeing saturation media coverage of John Major and Neil Kinnock.

This time around, refugees from election overkill have turned up early. All the island's accommodation - except one cottage - had been booked earlier in the year, when it was still thought that the election might take place in May.

"There's no sign of the battle buses as yet," Mr Roberts says.

"But that might be because there's no roads and you can't get anything bigger than a bike onto the ferry".

Follow Lundy Island manager Paul Roberts' campaign updates from the election blackout zone every Monday on BBC News Online.