Lib Dem Brent By-Election Triumph

12.00.00am GMT Fri 19th Sep 2003

Simon and Sarah Teather Campaigning in Brent East before Sensational By-Election Result

Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes has welcomed the Liberal Democrats sensational by-election victory in Ken Livingstone's former constituency.

Liberal Democrat, Sarah Teather overturned a huge Labour majority despite Livingstone campaigning hard for the Labour candidate.

Sarah's victory is a huge boost for the London Liberal Democrats ahead of next year's Mayoral, GLA and European elections. It underlines once again that the Lib Dems can draw support from across London's communities and provides further evidence that Simon Hughes is the only serious challenger to Ken Livingstone. The Tories came a very poor third and are clearly out of the race for London Mayor.

The result in Brent East serves notice on Livingstone that his days at City Hall are numbered.