 | 'Forget Big Brother, the most compelling reality show on TV is the Liberal Democrat leadership race. We've had alcoholism, rent boys, gay chatlines, secret sex and bare-faced lies.' Iain Macwhirter in the Sunday Herald, 29 th January 2006. |  |
| 'Forget Big Brother, the most compelling reality show on TV is the Liberal Democrat leadership race. We've had alcoholism, rent boys, gay chatlines, secret sex and bare-faced lies.' Iain Macwhirter in the Sunday Herald, 29 th January 2006. | |
The Liberal Democrats have pulled off a sensational by-election victory despite weeks of controversy and turmoil.
The party overturned an 11,000 majority in the Labour stronghold of Dunfermline with Willie Rennie being voted in as the new MP.
Mr Rennie said it was a "bombshell victory" in Gordon Brown's backyard.
After a bruising campaign, he took the seat with a 1,800 majority on a 16.24 per cent swing.
Mr Rennie is a former chief executive of Scottish Liberal Democrats and an account director for a firm advising charities and businesses.
At last May's General Election the late Rachel Squire won the seat for Labour with a 11,562.
The result was also a disappointment for the Scottish National Party which increased its vote share by barely 2 per cent to trail in third place and a blow for the Tories who dropped to just 7.8 per cent despite a high-profile campaign appearance by new party leader David Cameron.
The by-election follows a General Election advance by Lib Dems last year which left them the second largest party in Scotland in both seats and votes. It brings their Commons strength to 63.
Following his victory, Mr Rennie said the voters had "sent a powerful message to the Labour government that will rock the foundations of Downing Street".
"This is truly a historic victory. Thanks to the people of Dunfermline and West Fife - I will not let you down."
"This by-election will send shockwaves through Westminster. Labour has taken the people up and down the country for granted for far too long. Too much spin and not enough delivery.
"It's time that Tony Blair and Gordon Brown both got that message. This is a sensational victory."
Defeated Labour candidate Catherine Stihler paid tribute to Rachel Squire as a remarkable woman and a tremendous public servant.
She said: "This is not a result which Rachel would have wanted but I think I know what she would have said.
"We have to listen to the people and we have to learn."
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