Poll Axed - Lib Dems win Cheadle!

Rochdale Liberal Democrats are delighted to announce that Cllr. Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council has been elected to represent Cheadle in a stunning By-Election success. Despite a very negative and often disgraceful Conservative Campaign - Mark will join Cllr. Paul Rowen MP in Parliament to speak up for Greater Manchester. The Labour Party, who did their level best to make inroads in this seat lost their deposit.

Cllr. William Hobhouse, who played a big role in the campaign said, "This was a massive result for us in a seat that was held by The Conservatives until 1991. I was delighted to hit the streets with a big team from Rochdale but astonished to see the depths that the Conservatives plummeted in a desperate attempt to regain this seat!"

Charles Kennedy welcomed the Lib Dem victory in the Cheadle by-election, saying, "This is a first class victory for the Liberal Democrats. It is further proof that British politics is now three party politics - with the Lib Dems as a growing force for the future. I congratulate our excellent new MP Mark Hunter and the entire by-election team and all the party activists on this highly successful defence of the Cheadle constituency.

Charles continued, "Mark and all involved have done credit to the memory and legacy of Patsy Calton. Tragically the people of Cheadle lost a wonderful MP. Mark and the party locally will continue working to be worthy successors. It is to the voters of Cheadle that I express my great gratitude for their continued confidence in the Liberal Democrat cause, they know that we do not let them down."

New MP Mark Hunter said, ""This has been a hard fought campaign. The Conservatives have failed again and have disgraced themselves with more negative and personal mud-slinging than ever before.The people of Cheadle have voted for a more honest and positive approach."