Thank you - Lib Dems hail "terrific" result in Bridgwater and West Somerset

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 7th May 2010

Liberal Democrats are this week celebrating their best performance in Bridgwater and West Somerset since 1997.

The Liberal Democrat result in the newly expanded constituency improved for the first time since 1997, whilst the Conservative vote share fell compared to 2005 and the Labour Party suffered its worst result locally since 1945 when they tried to unseat the Independent Progressive MP Vernon Bartlett.

Commenting on the result Liberal Democrat candidate Theo Butt Philip said:

"Firstly I want to thank everyone who voted in Bridgwater and West Somerset, particularly the 15,426 who gave me their confidence.

"This result shows we are back and firmly established as the only viable alternative to the Tories in Bridgwater and West Somerset.

"Whilst the political future remains unclear nationally, locally it is clear that there is no future for Labour.

"I am grateful to the 15,426 people who placed their confidence in me and I look forward to continuing my activity within the constituency as we move into a new era of British politics."