Decisive victory for Matt Newton and the Lib Dems in Whittle Hall Parish by-election

1.08.00pm GMT Tue 22nd Dec 2009

Warrington South Liberal Democrats are celebrating another local election victory which puts them well on the way to success in the forthcoming General Election.

Matt Newton the Liberal Democrat candidate in Whittle Hall Parish election scored an emphatic victory gaining almost twice as many votes as his conservative challenger and Labour did not even put up a candidate.

Prospective Lib Dem MP Dr Jo Crotty said: "This result shows once again that the Lib Dems are the only serious challengers to the Labour party in Warrington South. Labours grip on the constituency is slipping by the day and claims from the Tories that they are still in the contest have lost any credibility when they are demolished by the Lib Dems in a straightforward two horse race like this. We go into 2010 full of confidence and looking forward to the General Election whenever Gordon Brown decides to hold it."

Matt Newton thanked local residents for their support during the by-election campaign and said "I was one of the people who joined in the WRAPP campaign to stop a Titan prison being built in Warrington. I joined the Lib Dems after that because I could see they are the ones who take the lead working for the community and improving life for local people. It is clear from this result that it is the Lib Dems, not the conservatives, that the voters trust to stand up for them and work for the community."