Homes and Property | Home Page

David Cameron insists Tories fought to win as MPs rue collapse in vote

1/2
Craig Woodhouse|Political Reporter
12 April 2012

David Cameron today insisted the Tories had fought a "good campaign" in the Coalition's first electoral test — despite the party's vote collapsing.

The Prime Minister faced anger from his own side amid accusations he had led a "soft campaign" to boost Liberal Democrat chances in the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election, but said he was "proud" of his party's efforts.

Debbie Abrahams sailed home with a majority of 3,558 over Lib-Dem Elwyn Watkins, and the Tory vote fell by more than 7,000 as Kashif Ali came in a distant third.

On a visit to the North-East, Mr Cameron said it was "not an unexpected result" and vowed to go on explaining why the Government was taking "difficult decisions".

But Douglas Carswell, Tory MP for Clacton, said Mr Ali was "let down" by his party leadership after Mr Cameron wished the Lib-Dems well in the by-election. "It is usually a good idea if you want to do well as a party to make it clear that you are serious about trying to win," he said.

On the grass-roots Conservative Home website, ex-MP Paul Goodman said: "In future the party should fight by-elections to win."

Party chairman Baroness Warsi strongly denied the claims, saying critics should have "put up or shut up" by helping out in the campaign.

Mr Clegg said the Lib-Dems remained a "strong, united, independent" party after failing to overturn the 103-vote majority secured by Labour at last year's general election.

Ed Miliband said the result in the contest — triggered after Labour MP Phil Woolas was expelled from Parliament for lying — was a "clear message" the Government should "think again" on cuts. "This is a first step in a long journey for us," he added.

Mr Miliband also warned disgruntled Liberal Democrats not to take "false comfort" from the result.

The Labour leader will next week call a by-election in Barnsley Central. The seat is held by disgraced Labour MP Eric Illsley, now facing jail.