Tories Keep Henley
The Tories have (predictably) won in Henley, increasing their share of the vote. Labour lost their deposit.
I am going to be controversial here, but here goes: it was a brilliant result. Labour is in disarray, and they deserved the beating they suffered, albeit in very un-Labour territory. The LibDems should stand to benefit from a seat in which they poll second, and where the predecessor ran away mid-term to get a better job. But their campaign was disgusting (genuinely, not just reflecting the usual Tory complaints about LibDem tactics…) and should be seen as the real cause for their failure to make ground.
The party has a few good ideas, and is clearly preferable to the Tories, but I cannot say that I would vote for a campaign that behaved in the way the LibDems did. It is a shame that they have so utterly failed to grow up and debate, not slander. I sincerely the party learns from this, and Crewe, to play positive politics in the future. They might actually gain votes that way!
And get this lie by Nick Cleggs fib dems:
“We increased our vote…”
1. LibDem Henley vote 2005 General Election - 12,101
2. LibDem Henley vote 2008 By Election - 9,680
An increase of minus 2421 votes!
To be fair, more fully:
1. LibDem Henley vote 2005 General Election - 12,101 - 26%
2. LibDem Henley vote 2008 By Election - 9,680 - 27.85%
(With the obvious caveat of low turnout)