Lib Dems Leap Forward In Brent

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 8th Jun 2009

Sarah Teather's team are working hard for local people

Sarah Teather's local Liberal Democrats are celebrating becoming the only major party to increase their share of the vote in Brent at the European elections.

The poll results, announced last night, were a massive blow for Brent's Labour MPs. The Labour share of the votes slumped by 25%, with one in four of their 2004 voters deserting the party. The Conservatives also saw their share of the vote plummet by almost 20%.

The Labour meltdown comes after months of scandal, in which both Brent Labour MPs were accused of abusing tax payer's money to fund second homes despite representing a borough a short journey from Westminster. Local Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather did not make any claims on the second home allowance.

The new parliamentary seat of Brent Central is now predicted to be a close fight between Gordon Brown's Labour party and Sarah Teather's local Liberal Democrats. The Tories are already out of the race, with odds of just 100/1.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"I would like to say a huge thank you to all those people in Brent who supported my local team this week. This wasn't just a win for the Liberal Democrats, but a win for Brent residents who want to see fairer taxes; action on crime and the environment, and reform of our broken politics.

"This has been a disastrous night for Labour. People have sent a strong message that they are extremely concerned about the direction of our country and want to have their say on the failed policies of this government. Gordon Brown needs to call a general election.

"My priority will be to continue my work helping local people with their problems and fighting to make Brent a better and fairer place."

Brent Liberal Democrats spokesperson Cllr Chris Leaman said:

"The surge in the Liberal Democrat vote is a huge boost for popular local MP Sarah Teather and her campaign for local people. Voters have been clear that they support Sarah Teather's decision to reject public money to pay for a second home.

"Labour are in deep trouble here in Brent. They ran a negative and defensive campaign, mired in scandal and allegations about the misuse of taxpayer's money. Gordon Brown's Labour party has nothing positive left to say to the people of Brent.

"David Cameron has predicted that Brent Central would be a fight to the death between Labour and the Liberal Democrats. With the Conservative vote also falling away, every one knows that only Sarah Teather's Liberal Democrats can take on Labour here."

Related Link:

Brent European Election Results.