NORWICH, England, (Reuters) – Britain’s opposition Conservatives won a parliamentary seat from the ruling Labour party yesterday, securing a big majority that would give them a landslide if repeated at a national election due within a year.
The poll for the Norwich North seat, prompted after the local member of parliament (MP) resigned in protest at being punished for his role in an expenses scandal, was being watched for clues to the outcome of the forthcoming general election.
Conservative candidate Chloe Smith, who at 27 becomes Britain’s youngest MP, beat her Labour rival into second place by a commanding margin. She captured 39.5 percent of the vote, against a Labour share of just over 18 percent.
Labour had held the seat in eastern England since Tony Blair swept to power in a landslide victory in 1997, ending 18 years of Conservative rule.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who faced down an internal party revolt last month, said it was “clearly a disappointing result”.
Markets expect a Conservative government by this time next year, but are nervous about the size of the majority and the implications that has for reducing a bloated budget deficit.
