Lib Dems are alive and kicking!

2.13.34pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 10th Feb 2006

Last night in Dunfermline and Fife, Liberal Democrats proved that they are still a force to be reckoned with as they tore apart Labour's 11,000 majority, and romped home with a whopping 12, 391 votes (and a Lib Dem majority of 1,800).

Sharon Bowles Liberal Democrat for the South East said "I am thrilled. I offer my deepest congratulations to Willie Rennie and everyone who helped bring about this most outstanding election victory."

"This bodes well for us in the South East. The Dunfermline result gives a powerful message to both the Labour Government and to the Conservatives who both lost votes to the Lib Dems."

"Despite media obsession with personality the electorate can see the strength in all our Liberal Democrat leadership candidates."

"The public recognise that we are the only real alternative and the party of the future. We can expect some big changes in the South East in the years to come."

Ends

The full result was:

Willie Rennie (Liberal Democrat) - 12,391 (35.8%)

Catherine Stihler (Labour) - 10,591 (30.6%)

Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party) - 7,261 (21.0%)

Carrie Ruxton (Conservative) - 2,702 (7.8%)

John McAllion (Scottish Socialist Party) - 537

James Hargreaves (Scottish Christian Party) - 411

Thomas Minogue (Abolish Forth Bridge Tolls Party) - 374

Ian Borland (UK Independence Party) - 208

Dick Rodgers (Common Good) - 103

Turnout - 59.9%

There was a swing of 16% from Labour, and 9% from the Conservatives to the Liberal Democrats.