Tories Take A Knuckle Rap In By-Polls

Britains opposition Conservatives took a beating in two by-elections only six months after they were swept from power in the May 1 general elections.

In Winchester, the Conservative candidate who lost by only two votes in May, was roundly trounced by more than 21,000 votes in a startling about turn. The by-election was ordered after the high court ruled there were counting errors in the May elections

In Beckenham, the Conservatives scraped home by around 1,000 votes in what used to be one of the partys safest seats. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of local MP Piers Merchant after a sex scandal. In May, Merchant won the seat with a much-reduced majority of over 5,000.

 

Soon after Thursdays by-election a Conservative spokesman said, special circumstances had forced voters in both constituencies to turn against the party. He claimed the results should not be read as a verdict on the Conservative Partys new leader William Hague.

Nevertheless, the Conservatives have, been startled by the scale of todays defeat in Winchester. Early voting figures suggest that Labour Party supporters switched sides in large numbers to give the Liberal Democrat candidate a huge majority. Some voters said they were unhappy about being forced to the polls twice in six months.

Political analysts say the two poll results indicate that the ruling Labour Partys popularity has not been dented by the cash for fags row which erupted over Formula One racing over the last fortnight Labour announced last week that it will exempt motor racing from a ban on tobacco sponsorship.

The loss of Winchester, which is one of the most affluent constituencies in the country, has been a staggering blow for the conservatives.

Winchester proves that the Tories have a long way to go before they win back the publics trust, said LDP leader Paddy Ashdown.