Rochester by-election: 'House prices will go down if you vote Ukip' "The danger is if you vote Ukip, the value of your house will go down," said Charles Walker, the MP for Broxbourne, who was campaigning in the town this afternoon. Kelly Tolhurst, the Tory candidate who is campaigning on the fact she was born in the town, said the concern had been raised on the doorstep. "I have heard a few people say that to me, but I'm not getting into that," she said, as she canvassed voters with William Hague on a smart estate of bungalows on the Hoo peninsula this morning. A lot of people have said 'We are going to vote for you because we do not want a Ukip MP'. The people of Rochester and Strood are good people, balanced people and we care about our area," she added. Until Tory MP Mark Reckless defected to Ukip in September, Rochester was best known as the home of novellist Charles Dickens and for its spectacular Norman castle and handsome Tudor beamed high street. Three bedroom bungalows in the town, half an hour from the capital, can sell for more than £400,000. Nigel Farage, the Ukip leader, said: "It's an absurd utterance, from a candidate who fails to impress. The Tories' desperation has reached new levels. It's not going to impress anyone. Paul Nuttall, the deputy leader who was campaigning with Mr Reckless, said Labour had told voters in northern by-elections that they risked losing their council houses if Ukip won. "It's the politics of fear," he said. Mr Reckless said he hoped to increase property values by attracting investment to the area. Property experts have said there is no data to verify the theory. William Hague, the Leader of the Commons, who was campaigning with Miss Tolhurst, was forced to defend a Tory leaflet highlighting the fact Mr Reckless studied at Oxford University and worked at Conservative Central Office and in the City before becoming an MP. The leaflet says it is a "straight choice" between Miss Tolhurst, a marine surveyor who was "born and raised" in the constituency, and Mr Reckless who "studied politics at Oxford" and "only moved here to be an MP." One Tory MP asked to deliver the literature described it as "total c--p" and "completely stupid" because it highlights Mr Reckless's career achievements. Mr Hague, who like many senior Tories studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford, said: "I dont think there's any class war." We are making clear the advantages of having a committed local candidate. That's what people get with Kelly, born and raised in this area with a good record on the council. It's a contrast with the Ukip candidate and the leaflet is pointing that out. He added Mr Reckless has "deceived the party and has landed his constitutents and the country with a very expensive by-election, as well as changing his mind on local issues. It's about the people of Rochester and Strood. If Kelly wins, it will be about them. If Ukip win it will be about Ukip, who will then move on to think about somewhere else, whereas she will stay here and campaign for this area. Mr Reckless said the leaflet was "shocking." I just wonder if the Prime Minister signed it off, as he's been here so many times to campaign. Ukip believe they can trigger a further wave of defections among Tory MPs in Kent and Essex worried about their seats if they win by more than 15 points in Rochester. However, Mr Hague, the Leader of the House, indicated there could be no more by-elections under an unwritten convention that vacant seats are left unfilled within months of a general election. He said there is no "fixed rule," but the seat of Speaker Michael Martin was left unfilled for five and a half months prior to the 2010 general election. It is up to the majority of the House of Commons. Normally by-elections haven't been held within three months of a general election. I can't give a definite ruling. That would suit the Conservatives and Labour, as the Clacton and Rochester contests have built Ukip's momentum and drained the party of funds and energy ahead of the general election. However, Ukip believes the convention could also work to their advantage, as some potential defectors have been put off by the prospect of a by-election. They believe more MPs can be wooed if they are allowed to cross the floor and campaign for months in their constituency as a sitting Ukip MP. Polls have given Mr Reckless a double-digit lead after heavily squeezing the Labour vote. One Tory MP said it would take "divine intervention" for Miss Tolhurst to win. The Tories are putting on a brave face. George Osborne, the Chancellor, yesterday made a fleeting visit to a local factory accompanied by a television crew. Acknowleding the possibility of defeat, Miss Tolhurst said she would be prepared to fight against Mr Reckless again in the May general election. I still haven't given up yet. I'm going to be fighting til 10 on Thursday night to convince peoeple I am the best person to represent them here. But yes, if I don't win on Thursday, which I'm not conceding at all, I will be fighting for May twice as hard. Mr Hague brushed off the unfavourable polling, saying: "Nobody should think they know the outcome."