Labour loses seat in UK by-election

Updated: 11:47, Friday, 19 September 2003

The Liberal Democrats in Britain have taken one of the Labour party's safest Westminster seats in the Brent East by-election.

Tony Blair  Labour suffers by-election defeat Tony Blair Labour suffers by-election defeat

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.

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.

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