The run-up to the Winchester by-election

On October 6 1997, the general election result in Winchester was declared void by the High Court. Former Tory Health Minister, Gerry Malone, had lodged a petition in the High Court after losing the seat to Liberal Democrat Mark Oaten by just two votes.

55 ballot papers had been rejected by the Winchester Returning Officer, David Cowan, as they had not been stamped properly by polling station staff. Lord Justice Brooke ruled that this rendered the result invalid. The Speaker informed the House of Commons of the Court's verdict when it reconvened on October 27.

The result was further complicated by the fact that Richard Huggett stood as 'Top Choice Liberal Democrat' and managed to win 640 votes. Mr Huggett had stood in the 1994 European elections as a 'Literal Democrat' winning 10,203 votes and depriving the Liberal Democrat candidate of the seat by 700 votes. This time Mr Hugget was standing as 'Literal Democrat Mark Here To Win'.

In the run-up to the by-election, both the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives said they were confident of a victory in the re-match.