Libdems WIN Cheadle

12.56.40am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 15th Jul 2005

Charles Kennedy welcomed the Lib Dem victory in the Cheadle by-election, saying:

"This is a first class victory for the Liberal Democrats.

"It is further proof that British politics is now three party politics - with the Lib Dems as a growing force for the future.

"I congratulate our excellent new MP Mark Hunter and the entire by-election team and all the party activists on this highly successful defence of the Cheadle constituency.

"Mark and all involved have done credit to the memory and legacy of Patsy Calton. Tragically the people of Cheadle lost a wonderful MP. Mark and the party locally will continue working to be worthy successors. It is to the voters of Cheadle that I express my great gratitude for their continued confidence in the Liberal Democrat cause, they know that we do not let them down."

New MP Mark Hunter said, ""This has been a hard fought campaign. The Conservatives have failed again and have disgraced themselves with more negative and personal mud-slinging than ever before.The people of Cheadle have voted for a more honest and positive approach."

For more details, see http://www.libdems.org.uk/campaigns/campaign.html?id=6597&navPage=campaigns.html

By Election Results For Cheadle

At the By Election in Cheadle on 14th July 2005, 37567 votes were cast (approximately 55% of the total number of eligible voters) with the following result:

52.2% Mark Hunter (Liberal Democrat): 19593 votes (+3.3%).

42.4% Stephen Day (Conservative): 15936 votes (+2%).

4.6% Mark Miller (Labour): 1739 votes (-4.2%).

0.6% Leslie Leggett (Veritas): 218 votes (+0.6%).

0.2% John Allman (Alliance for Change): 81 votes (+0.2%).