Posted on 02/10/2006 2:38:35 AM PST by ToryHeartland
The Liberal Democrats put their leadership woes behind them and won a startling by-election victory early today in the constituency where Gordon Brown has his family home.
In a personal humiliation for the Chancellor, the Lib Dems overturned an 11,500 Labour majority to capture Dunfermline and West Fife. Their 1,800 majority represented a swing of 16.24 per cent.
Willie Rennie celebrates with his wife and party members Willie Rennie celebrates with his wife and party members
The Scottish National Party finished third but in David Cameron's first by-election since becoming Tory leader his candidate failed to improve on fourth place.
The Lib Dems were cock-a-hoop after defying predictions that they would suffer from publicity after the forced resignation of their leader, Charles Kennedy; the scandal that forced Mark Oaten out of the leadership race; and the personal difficulties of another contender, Simon Hughes.
Mr Kennedy will almost certainly claim a part in their victory - having paid a very high-profile visit to the constituency last week.
Mr Brown took personal charge of the Labour campaign for this contest - caused by the death of Rachel Squire - and the result will be a blow to his prestige as he waits to take over from Tony Blair.
He used to represent parts of the constituency until, following boundary changes, he switched to the neighbouring seat of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath last May.
Mr Brown tried to fight it on his economic record and on what he claimed were his successes in bringing "jobs and prosperity" to the region.
But hardly had the campaign started when an American computer company announced its closure, throwing 700 people out of work.
The campaign centred on local issues, principally plans to increase toll charges on the Forth Road Bridge.
The Chancellor was in Moscow last night at a finance ministers meeting and Alex Salmond, the SNP leader, said: "Perhaps he should ask for political asylum."
Willie Rennie, the winning Lib Dem candidate, said: "This sends a powerful message to both No 10 and 11. Labour have taken the people for granted for too long and it is time Tony Blair and Gordon Brown got that message."
© Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2006.
LOL. But Scotland did give us Adam Smith--it's part of our homeland :-)
What is "cock-a-hoop"??? It sounds like VD or a bad cold, regardless they got it.
Given the recent scandals which have overtaken Messers Kennedy, Oaten and Hughes, you're right -- it probably isn't anything you'd want to experience!
The Lib-Dems are far more socialist than Labour - they are anti-war pro-tax pro-EU. All this election proves is that the scots would elect saddam hussein riding on satans back whilst bumming hitler as long as it wasn't a conservative!
Most of Scotland is a socialist, leftist hellhole. All they do is leach off the English taxpayers thanks to their generous handouts via things like the Barnett formula etc. Only parts of Edinburgh, parts of rural Scotland, and the Scottish borders are where people have any sense.
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