By-election result would see Lib Dems win Edinburgh North & Leith from Labour

1.54.34pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 24th Jul 2009

Labour was left reeling today after a disastrous result in a key parliamentary by-election, which saw their vote collapse by more than two thirds. The swing would be enough for the Liberal Democrats to gain Edinburgh North & Leith at the next General Election.

The result of the parliamentary by-election in Norwich North saw Labour poll 18% of the vote, down from the 45% they polled here at the last General Election. There was a swing of over 12% from Labour to the Liberal Democrats, which if repeated, would be enough to see local candidate Kevin Lang elected Edinburgh North & Leith's new local MP.

Local Liberal Democrat candidate, Kevin Lang said, "This is just the latest is a series of disastrous results for Labour and another clear example of traditional Labour supporters ditching Gordon Brown in their droves.

"Every week, I speak with local people in Edinburgh North & Leith who are fed up with Labour and are looking for a positive change. In this constituency, it is the Liberal Democrats who are the only party providing that alternative, fighting for fair tax cuts for those on low and middle incomes, more police to help tackle crime and a boost in green jobs to help the economy and the fight against climate change.

"Labour has already run out of ideas. Now, with less than 10 months until the next General Election, Labour is fast running out of time as well."