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Tories snatch Crewe from Labour Tories snatch Crewe from Labour
(9 minutes later)
The Conservative Party has achieved its first by-election gain in 26 years, taking the previously safe Labour seat of Crewe and Nantwich.The Conservative Party has achieved its first by-election gain in 26 years, taking the previously safe Labour seat of Crewe and Nantwich.
Tory candidate Edward Timpson won 7,860 more votes than his Labour rival, overturning a 7,000 Labour majority at the last general election. Tory candidate Edward Timpson won 7,860 more votes than his Labour rival, overturning a 7,000 Labour majority at the general election - a 17.6% swing.
Shadow local government minister Eric Pickles said: "We've taken it and we've taken it big."Shadow local government minister Eric Pickles said: "We've taken it and we've taken it big."
The contest followed the death of veteran Labour MP Gwyneth Dunwoody.The contest followed the death of veteran Labour MP Gwyneth Dunwoody.
Her daughter Tamsin stood as the Labour candidate. Mr Timpson said voters had "rejected the old politics and voted for the positive alternative put forward by the Conservative Party".
He said the government had paid the price for the decision to scrap the 10p rate of income tax, adding: "Gordon Brown just does not get it and the government needs to change."
The by-election follows dismal recent local election results for Labour.The by-election follows dismal recent local election results for Labour.
'Powerful message''Powerful message'
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said that, if Tory leader David Cameron becomes prime minister at the next election, "many will look back at the vote in Crewe and Nantwich as the moment they first believed it was possible".BBC political editor Nick Robinson said that, if Tory leader David Cameron becomes prime minister at the next election, "many will look back at the vote in Crewe and Nantwich as the moment they first believed it was possible".
Mr Timpson, a 34-year-old barrister, took 20,549 votes. Ms Dunwoody was second on 12,679, with Liberal Democrat Elizabeth Shenton third on 6,040. Mr Timpson, a 34-year-old barrister, took 20,549 votes. The Labour candidate, Mrs Dunwoody's daughter Gwyneth Dunwoody, was second on 12,679, with Liberal Democrat Elizabeth Shenton third on 6,040.
Turnout was 58.2%, which is very high for a by-election, but was down slightly from 60% at the 2005 general election.Turnout was 58.2%, which is very high for a by-election, but was down slightly from 60% at the 2005 general election.
Hazel Blears is quizzed on Question Time about the Crewe and Nantwich campaign
For Labour, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said voters had "decided to send us a pretty powerful message but the last thing they want is the Labour Party to turn on itself and be obsessed with our own affairs and not what the public want".For Labour, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said voters had "decided to send us a pretty powerful message but the last thing they want is the Labour Party to turn on itself and be obsessed with our own affairs and not what the public want".
The campaign has taken place during a dire few weeks for Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who has followed a poor set of local election results with the row over the abolition of the 10p tax rate.The campaign has taken place during a dire few weeks for Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who has followed a poor set of local election results with the row over the abolition of the 10p tax rate.
Conservative leader David Cameron is expected to capitalise on the victory by calling an early by-election in Henley, the Westminster seat due to be vacated by new London Mayor Boris Johnson.Conservative leader David Cameron is expected to capitalise on the victory by calling an early by-election in Henley, the Westminster seat due to be vacated by new London Mayor Boris Johnson.
The Tories hope to build on their momentum, with June 26 and July 3 being talked of as the likely dates for a contest.The Tories hope to build on their momentum, with June 26 and July 3 being talked of as the likely dates for a contest.
During canvassing in Crewe and Nantwich, Ms Dunwoody criticised Mr Timpson's "Tory toff" background, leading to accusations that Labour was using "class war" tactics.During canvassing in Crewe and Nantwich, Ms Dunwoody criticised Mr Timpson's "Tory toff" background, leading to accusations that Labour was using "class war" tactics.
The Conservative Party's last by-election gain was in Mitcham and Morden, south-west London, in 1982.The Conservative Party's last by-election gain was in Mitcham and Morden, south-west London, in 1982.
In 2005 Gwyneth Dunwoody won Crewe and Nantwich for Labour with 21,240 votes, from Conservative candidate Eveleigh Moore-Dutton on 14,162 and Lib Dem Paul Roberts on 8,083.In 2005 Gwyneth Dunwoody won Crewe and Nantwich for Labour with 21,240 votes, from Conservative candidate Eveleigh Moore-Dutton on 14,162 and Lib Dem Paul Roberts on 8,083.