World
Labour loses seat in UK by-election
Friday, 19 September 2003 11:47
The Liberal Democrats in Britain have taken one of the Labour party's safest Westminster seats in the Brent East by-election.
The result from the constituency in North London is said to be a major shock for Prime Minister Tony Blair's government.
It is the first time Labour has lost a by-election in Britain in 15 years.
Advertisement
The Liberal Democrat candidate, Sarah Teather, recorded a swing of 29% to win the seat, overturning Labour's General Election majority of 13,000 and becomes, at 29, the youngest MP in the House of Commons.
She hailed her 1,100-vote victory as a vindication of her party's opposition to the war in Iraq.
Audio & Video
- Morning Ireland: Brian O'Connell, London Editor, analyses the first by-election results since the Iraq war
- 1.00 News: Brian O'Connell, London Editor, analyses Britain's first election results since the Iraq war
- 6.01 News: Brian O'Connell, London Editor, reports on Labour's defeat in the first by-election since the war on Iraq
