A superb start to 2006 with a by-election victory in Dunfermline and West Fife!

On 9th February, Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie stunned the Labour Party, and Gordon Brown in particular (in his own backyard) winning this safe Labour seat with a  swing of almost 16%. 

The full result was:

• Willie Rennie (Liberal Democrat) - 12,391 (35.8%) +15.67%
• Catherine Stihler (Labour) - 10,591 (30.6%) -16.81%
• Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party) - 7,261 (21.0%)
• Carrie Ruxton (Conservative) - 2,702 (7.8%)  -2.51%
• John McAllion (Scottish Socialist Party) - 537
• James Hargreaves (Scottish Christian Party) - 411
• Thomas Minogue (Abolish Forth Bridge Tolls Party) - 374
• Ian Borland (UK Independence Party) - 208
• Dick Rodgers (Common Good) - 103
• Turnout - 59.9%

It is interesting to note that similar swings in Hexham would produce the following result (2005 figures in brackets):

• Liberal Democrat 41.38% (25.71% + 15.67%)
• Conservative 39.90%  (42.41%  - 2.51%)
• Labour 13.51% (30.32% - 16.81%)