Poll embarassment for Blair
{{date|February 10, 2006}}

A By-Election in the Scottish constituency of [[w:Dunfermline and West Fife (UK Parliament constituency)|Dunfermline & West Fife]] has seen a once safe [[w:Labour (UK)|Labour]] seat won by the [[w:Liberal Democrats|Liberal Democrat]] party, despite a series of scandals rocking the UK's third party during their search to find a new leader.

The poll was called to replace the [[wikt:MP|MP]] [[w:Rachel Squire|Rachel Squire]], who died last month, and saw the Liberal Democrats' candidate [[w:Willie Rennie|Willie Rennie]] overturn a Labour majority of 11,562 to defeat the Labour party candidate, [[w:Catherine Stihler|Catherine Stihler]] (currently an [[wikt:MEP|MEP]]) by 1,800 votes. The result will come as a blow to [[w:Chancellor of the Exchequer|Chancellor of the Exchequer]] [[w:Gordon Brown|Gordon Brown]], who lives in the constituency and represents the neighbouring area of [[w:Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (UK Parliament constituency)|Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath]].

However, the result was also viewed as a blow for other parties: the [[w:Scottish National Party|Scottish National Party]], who came third in the General Election, could only increase their share of the vote by 2% and remain in third place, despite claiming that they were a close second during the campaign. Meanwhile, the [[w:Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], buoyed by the election of [[David Cameron]] as Party Leader, saw their vote fall by 2.5% The [[w:Scottish Socialist Party|Scottish Socialist Party]] were also hit, registering a slight fall in their vote despite fielding a high-profile candidate in John McAllion, the former Labour MP and [[wikt:MSP|MSP]] for [[w:Dundee East (UK Parliament constituency)|Dundee East]].

== Sources ==

*{{source|author=
|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2090-2036789,00.html
|title=Dunfermline's lessons
|pub=Times Online
|date=February 12, 2006}}
*{{source|author=
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4699862.stm
|title=Labour defiant after shock defeat
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=February 10, 2006}}

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[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Scotland]]
[[Category:Elections]]
[[Category:Gordon Brown]]
[[Category:David Cameron]]
[[Category:Scottish National Party]]
[[Category:Scottish Socialist Party]]
A By-Election in the Scottish constituency of Dunfermline & West Fife has seen a once safe Labour seat won by the Liberal Democrat party, despite a series of scandals rocking the UK's third party during their search to find a new leader.

The poll was called to replace the MP Rachel Squire, who died last month, and saw the Liberal Democrats' candidate Willie Rennie overturn a Labour majority of 11,562 to defeat the Labour party candidate, Catherine Stihler (currently an MEP) by 1,800 votes. The result will come as a blow to Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, who lives in the constituency and represents the neighbouring area of Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath.

However, the result was also viewed as a blow for other parties: the Scottish National Party, who came third in the General Election, could only increase their share of the vote by 2% and remain in third place, despite claiming that they were a close second during the campaign. Meanwhile, the Conservative Party, buoyed by the election of David Cameron as Party Leader, saw their vote fall by 2.5% The Scottish Socialist Party were also hit, registering a slight fall in their vote despite fielding a high-profile candidate in John McAllion, the former Labour MP and MSP for Dundee East.
Politics and conflicts United Kingdom Scotland Elections Gordon Brown David Cameron Scottish National Party Scottish Socialist Party