2006 Lib Dem Success

2.00.26pm GMT Sun 31st Dec 2006

Willie Rennie elected as the new MP for Dunfermline and West Fife in February 2006

The Liberal Democrats have ended 2006 pointing to the party's performances in by-elections during the year as proof of their progress. Amongst others, the Lib Dems sensationally took Dunfermline and West Fife seat early in the year, and came within a few hundred votes of snatching the previously rock-solid Tory seat of Bromley and Chislehurst later in the year.

Liberal Democrat chief of staff Edward Davey said: "When it came to real votes in real ballot boxes in 2006, it was the Liberal Democrats who fared the best.

"In the three parliamentary by-elections fought in 2006, Liberal Democrats saw an 11% average rise, whilst the Tory vote share fell 4%."