Stunning election boost for Lib Dems

10.56.41am UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 11th Feb 2006

In a sensational by-election, the Liberal Democrats have won the once-safe Labour seat of Dunfermline and West Fife. This brings the total number of Lib Dem MPs to a new record of 63.

In a major setback for both Labour and the Tories, the Lib Dems came overcame a massive Labour majority to take a seat which was one of Labour's safest at the general election less than 12 months ago.

The result piles further pressure on Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. For the Tories - who remained a distant fourth and whose vote dropped even further - the so-called Cameron Bandwagon has been stopped in its tracks.

"The Cameron honeymoon is over," said Croydon Lib Dem Councillor Ian Atkins. "When it comes to real votes, the historic trend of the general election is continuing - Labour is collapsing as a political force and the Tories are still flat-lining. Only the Liberal Democrats offer genuine hope and real solutions."

The by-election offers great encouragement to the Liberal Democrats as they decide who should be their new national leader and then campaign for the local elections in May.

Related Links:

Read about another Lib Dem election victory and more bad news for the Tories.

Further coverage and full result of the by-election.

Latest news on the leadership election.