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Jo SwinsonLib Dem MP for East Dunbartonshire |
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Young one's victory over Labour
May 6, 2005 12:00 AM
In BBC News
In BBC News
The Liberal Democrats have gained the East Dunbartonshire seat from Labour.
Jo Swinson, 25, became the youngest MP in Scotland by taking the seat from Labour's John Lyons.
The constituency, based around Bishopbriggs, Bearsden, Milngavie and Lenzie on the outskirts of Glasgow, had a relatively large turnout of 72.1%.
Ms Swinson polled 19,533 votes, a majority of 4,061 over her Labour rival. The Tories took third place with 7,708 and the SNP polled 2,716 votes.
The seat - Strathkelvin and Bearsden prior to the recent boundary changes - lived up to expectations as one to watch.
In 2003, Labour MSP Brian Fitzpatrick was beaten by pro-Stobhill Hospital campaigner Dr Jean Turner at the Holyrood elections.
Labour and Liberal Democrat party hierarchy made regular appearances in the constituency during this campaign.
Mr Lyons, 55, a former Unison union official, saw his notional 2001 majority of 2,601 melt away and he trailed by more than 4,600 votes.
Asked what she considered to be at the heart of her successful campaign, Ms Swinson told the BBC News website: "I think it was a combination of things. There was clearly an anti-Labour vote but I also think that the positive Lib Dem campaign went down well.
"Charles Kennedy did extremely well and our message certainly resonated.
"I also think our local campaign was very strong. There were issues to do with Stobhill Hospital, local health services and the campaign to save Bishopbriggs post office - a local issue but very important to people in the area."
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