BBC Nine'o'clock News, 8 April 1997

Peter Sissons presents the BBC Nine'o'clock News on Tuesday 8 April 1997. Reports:

1) Nicholas Jones on the first appearance of Martin Bell in Tatton constituency, where his attempt to meet journalists on Knutsford Heath is disrupted by the sudden arrival of Neil and Christine Hamilton. In a live update, Neil Hamilton is adopted by the local Conservative Association.
2) Robin Oakley on the Council of Churches report on unemployment.
3) Greg Wood on the impact of taxes on businesses.

In the second section:
4) Anne Perkins' campaign desk: Paddy Ashdown's big rally, the Plaid Cymru manifesto, the Socialist Labour Party campaign launch, and the Referendum Party campaigning in Cornwall. It finishes with an interesting look at how Labour manages its press conferences: look in the background to see Ed Miliband and Ed Balls.
5) Niall Dickson on the welfare system.
6) An update from Nicholas Jones in Knutsford.
7) Robin Oakley discusses the election campaign in general, specifically Tatton.