2003 Brent East by-election


The Brent East by-election, 2003 was held in Brent East on 18 September 2003, following the death of Labour MP Paul Daisley on 18 June that year. It was won by the Liberal Democrat candidate Sarah Teather.
The Liberal Democrats held on to the seat in the 2005 general election.

Result

Turnout was 36.23%. Liberal Democrat candidate Sarah Teather won with 39.12% of the vote, which was a swing of 29% from Labour. This was the largest swing from Labour to a Liberal or Liberal Democrat candidate since the Bermondsey by-election in 1983. Commentators linked the result to anger from traditional voters over the Iraq War, as well as the private sector's involvement in public services.

2001 result

Labour held the seat with 63.2% of the vote at the 2001 general election. The Liberal Democrats had come third in the seat, with only 10.6% of the vote.