The result of the Crewe & Nantwich by-election is nothing other than a sound defeat for the Labour Party, and our excellent candidate Tamsin Dunwoody. I congratulate Edward Timpson on his victory, although if the pattern of these kinds of dramatic by-election upsets is anything to go by, his parliamentary career will be short-lived.
The people of this part of Cheshire were sending their government a very strong message, and our job as ministers is to listen, understand and act. From the time I spent in the constituency it was clear to me that trepidation about the economy was the big factor. The media obsession with political personalities was not reflected on the streets and estates of Crewe. People were concerned about the rising price of petrol and food, and expressed their concerns on the doorsteps. In these turbulent economic times, I understand perfectly why people want to send the Government a message. Although much of the economic pressures have been created abroad, especially in the USA, people want answers from their government.
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