Hounslow Lib Dems celebrate parliamentary by-election blow to Labour and Tories

1.53.08am GMT Fri 10th Feb 2006

Willie Rennie MP

Liberal Democrat Candidate Willie Rennie this morning delivered a decisive victory for the party in the Dunfermline and West Fife by-election. This is a major blow to both Labour and the Tories as many commentators thought that the Liberal Democrats would be fighting to retain the second place that they narrowly gained over the SNP in the 2005 general election.

The parliamentary by-election was David Cameron's first real electoral test as Conservative Party Leader. He was active in the campaign trying to appeal to Lib Dem voters and implying that he was on the same side as the Lib Dems over Iraq.

Andrew Dakers Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Brentford & Isleworth said:

"Willie Rennie will be a fantastic constituency MP and a terrific boost to the Liberal Democrat parliamentary team at Westminster.

"There are messages tonight for all the major parties. The Liberal Democrat message that we want a fairer, greener and more democratic society - is one that wins widespread appeal.

"The result proves that with all David Cameron's flip-flopping and spin voters just don't see his Tory party as a credible opposition. For Labour this is a major blow in the constituency next to Gordon Brown's and as they prepare for their Spring Conference in Blackpool."

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Result *

Willie Rennie Lib Dem 12,391

Catherine Stihler Labour 10,591

Douglas Chapman SNP 7,261

Carrie Ruxton Scottish Tory 2,702

A few other points about the by-election and Scottish politics:

• The Lib Dem win is the first ever Lib Dem gain from Labour in a Scottish parliamentary by-election.

• Post-war Liberal/SDP/Lib Dem by-election wins in Scotland were all from the Conservatives: David Steel (Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles 1965), Roy Jenkins (Glasgow Hillhead 1982), Nicol Stephen (Kincardine and Deeside 1991).

• The Scottish Liberal Democrats have increased their vote in each of the last three General Elections and won 11 of the 59 seats in 2005.

• The SNP has lost support in each of the last three General Elections and fell to third place in votes and seats in 2005.

• The Conservatives were fourth in votes in Scotland in 2005 and have only one Scottish Westminster MP.