Kennedy: Cheadle a credit to the memory and legacy of Patsy Calton

1.51.49pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 15th Jul 2005

Kennedy: It is to the voters of Cheadle that I express my great gratitude for their continued confidence in the Liberal Democrat cause.

Charles Kennedy has thanked the votes of Cheadle and the Liberal Democrat team for their support in Cheadle. The Lib Dems were delighted to hold the seat with a swing to the Party in the parliamentary by-election triggered by the death of popular MP Patsy Calton. The Conservative candidate Stephen Day was rejected by Cheadle's voters for the third consecutive election and has now announced he will not fight the seat again.

Charles Kennedy said:

"Last night's victory in Cheadle 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.

"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 will not let them down."