By election blow for Labour

Lib Dem candidate Sarah Teather becomes the youngest MP

Breakfast's main story this morning is the first by-election defeat for fifteen years for the Labour party.

The Liberal Democrats swept into Brent East in London last night on a 30 per cent swing, winning the seat which was once held by Ken Livingstone by more than 1,000 votes.

The Conservatives were left trailing in third place.

This morning, Breakfast asked - is the result a one-off, or the shape of things to come?

Further details from BBC News Online

Sarah Teather won the Brent East poll by more than 1,100 votes, overturning a 13,047 majority and marking Labour's first loss of a Commons seat in a by-election for 15 years.

London MEP Robert Evans received 7,040 votes compared with Ms Teather's 8,158, while the Conservative candidate Uma Fernandes was beaten into third place with 3,368 votes.

The 29% swing from Labour to the Liberal Democrats is the largest for almost a decade, and is being described by commentators as one of the most stunning turnarounds in British electoral history.

The by-election took place on Thursday after Labour MP Paul Daisley died of cancer in June, aged just 45.

Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy said the result was "a big boost" for the party ahead of its annual conference in Brighton next week.

"We have shown that there is no such thing as a no-go area for the Liberal Democrats," he said.

"In Britain's most diverse community, we have shown that we can speak for every section of society and the Liberal Democrat message is one they want to hear and support."

War factor

The party will now have 54 MPs in Westminster, with 29-year-old Ms Teather making the transition from being a councillor in Islington to become the youngest member of the Commons.

Candidates and votes Sarah Teather (Lib Dem) 8,158 Robert Evans (Labour) 7,040 Uma Fernandes (Conservative) 3,368 Noel Lynch (Green) 638 Brian Butterworth (Socialist Alliance) 361 Khidori Fawzi Ibrahim (Public Services Not War) 219 Winston McKenzie (Independent) 197 Kelly McBride (Independent) 189 Harold Immanuel (Independent Labour) 188 Brian Hall (UK Independence Party) 140 Iris Cremer (Socialist Labour Party) 111 Neil Walsh (Independent) 101 Alan Howling Lord Hope (Monster Raving Loony Party) 59 Aaron Barschack (No description) 37 Jiten Bardwaj (No description) 35 Rainbow George Weiss (WWW.XAT.ORG) 11

Commentators are linking the Labour defeat with Tony Blair's decision to go to war with Iraq, and anger among the party's traditional voters over the involvement of the private sector in public services.

For the Lib Dems, the result is being seen as a huge boost, proving they win by-elections not only against the Tories, but also against Labour.

Ms Tether said she was "absolutely elated" by the result, which came in at about 0230 BST on Friday, adding that both Labour and the Conservatives should take careful note of the outcome.

'Tide is turning'

"Tony Blair, I hope that you are listening tonight. The people of Brent have spoken for the people of Britain," she said.

"They want you to listen. They want you to deliver.

"But there is no comfort in this result tonight for the Conservative Party. They are irrelevant to constituencies like this," she added.

"The tide may be turning against Tony Blair and New Labour, but the tide remains far out for the Conservatives in this country. "

Labour said it was disappointed with the poll, in which 36.4% of the electorate voted.

Blair's by-election nightmare

Chairman Ian McCartney said: "The backdrop of the controversy surrounding the Iraqi conflict, in its many forms, made this the most difficult by-election Labour has fought in the last 20 years.

"A disproportionate number of Labour voters staying at home was also a key feature."

Mr Evans, the Labour candidate, was optimistic despite defeat.

"I think if we're honest some of the results of Labour investment in health, in education, in the fight against crime haven't yet filtered through to voters," he said.

"Clearly we've had a by-election - people have exercised the right to perhaps vote differently (from how) they might do in a general election and so obviously we're very disappointed.

"But we'll bounce back."

Lessons to learn

In the 2001 general election Mr Daisley managed to secure a majority of 13,047 with 63.21% of the vote.

He took over the seat from Ken Livingstone, who became London's mayor.

Then the Tories came second with 18.21% of votes cast, while the Liberal Democrats picked up 10.57%.

The Conservatives said they would examine the campaign to learn from it.

Conservative chairman Theresa May said: "I'm disappointed for Uma Fernandes, because I think she was an extremely good candidate.

"Of course parties don't want to come third in elections but our vote held up, contrary to predictions that it was going to collapse.

"We will look at the campaign and learn the lessons from the campaign but we are a party that is on course for the general election. "