Partner Article

Labour holds on in North East

The Labour Party has held on to its European seat in the North East of England despite a slump in its overall vote.

Victorious Labour candidate Stephen Hughes blamed the Westminster expenses scandal for his party’s difficulties but said he was behind Gordon Brown.

Conservative Martin Callanan and Liberal Democrat Fiona Hall were second and third, retaining their seats.

The UK Independence Party were narrowly beaten by the Liberal Democrats, coming in just 13,000 votes below third place. The British National Party came in fifth in the North East, taking 8.9% of the vote.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .