Lib Dems win Cheadle by-election: Conservatives trounced, Labour loses its deposit and Greens fail to put candidate up

6.47.13pm 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."