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16/07/2004
Lib Dem leader hails by-election victory
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has hailed his party's performance in the by-elections as a substantial victory which has left Labour licking its wounds.
The Lib Dems showed an upsurge in support at two seats in the Midlands, winning one in Leicester South, and coming a close second to Labour in Birmingham Hodge Hill. Mr Kennedy went on to claim that his party would have won the Birmingham seat if the vote had not have been split by support for George Galloway's anti-war Respect party.
The results have also spelled out what many regard as a disaster for Michael Howard and the Tories, who came third in both contests – a poor outcome for the party, considering they held second place in both seats in the 2001 election - and a development which will cast a shadow over Howard's leadership.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Kennedy said that he firmly believed the Iraq war was a key issue influencing the results. He added: "As Labour becomes unpopular, unlike what we have seen over many decades in British politics, people are not turning to the Conservatives as an alternative, they are turning to the Liberal Democrats. That changes the rules of engagement for the next general election completely."
(CL)
The Lib Dems showed an upsurge in support at two seats in the Midlands, winning one in Leicester South, and coming a close second to Labour in Birmingham Hodge Hill. Mr Kennedy went on to claim that his party would have won the Birmingham seat if the vote had not have been split by support for George Galloway's anti-war Respect party.
The results have also spelled out what many regard as a disaster for Michael Howard and the Tories, who came third in both contests – a poor outcome for the party, considering they held second place in both seats in the 2001 election - and a development which will cast a shadow over Howard's leadership.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Kennedy said that he firmly believed the Iraq war was a key issue influencing the results. He added: "As Labour becomes unpopular, unlike what we have seen over many decades in British politics, people are not turning to the Conservatives as an alternative, they are turning to the Liberal Democrats. That changes the rules of engagement for the next general election completely."
(CL)
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The Conservatives have gained the 326 seats needed to secure a majority in the Commons, having made gains in England and Wales. In total, the party secured 331 of 650 seats. Labour is the next largest party with 232 seats, then the SNP with 56. For the Liberal Democrats, they have lost 46 seats, to leave them with just eight Westminster seats.
Conservatives Secure Majority Vote
The Conservatives have gained the 326 seats needed to secure a majority in the Commons, having made gains in England and Wales. In total, the party secured 331 of 650 seats. Labour is the next largest party with 232 seats, then the SNP with 56. For the Liberal Democrats, they have lost 46 seats, to leave them with just eight Westminster seats.
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