2008 Crewe and Nantwich by-election

UK parliamentary by-election September 2013 May 2024 2008 Crewe and Nantwich by-election parliamentary United Kingdom Crewe and Nantwich parliamentary seat no 2005 United Kingdom general election 2005 2010 United Kingdom general election 2010 22 May 2008 58.2% Edward Timpson Edward Timpson Minister.jpg 130 120 160 5 15 center Blank Conservative Party (UK) 20,539 49.5% 16.9% Tamsin Dunwoody Tamsin Dunwoody (2003).jpg 125 120 160 0 0 center Blank Labour Party (UK) 12,679 30.6% 18.2% Elizabeth Shenton LD Liberal Democrats (UK) 6,040 14.6% 4.0% MP Subsequent MP Gwyneth Dunwoody Labour Party (UK) Edward Timpson Conservative Party (UK) Location of Crewe and Nantwich within Cheshire File:CreweNantwich2007Constituency.svg A by-election for the United Kingdom parliamentary constituency of Crewe and Nantwich was held on 22 May 2008, triggered by the death of incumbent Labour Party MP Gwyneth Dunwoody. It was won by the Conservative Party candidate Edward Timpson, who defeated the Labour candidate Tamsin Dunwoody—Gwyneth's daughter—on a large swing of Conservative of 17.6%. This was the first seat gained by the Conservatives in a by-election since the 1982 Mitcham and Morden by-election and the first seat they had taken from Labour in a by-election since the 1978 Ilford North by-election thirty years earlier. Overview The by-election was called following the death of the sitting MP Gwyneth Dunwoody on 17 April 2008.Row over by-election announcement- BBC News, 30 April 2008 The timing of the election caused controversy as, by convention, by-elections are not moved until after the funeral of the deceased Member of Parliament, which drew protests from Conservative and Liberal Democrat members in the House of Commons. However the writ was moved with the approval of the Dunwoody family.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2008/may/01/localelections2007 Michael White's political briefing: Dunwoody still making trouble White Michael 1 May 2008 The Guardian en-GB 0261-3077 The election had attracted high media and public interest following heavy defeats for the incumbent Labour party in the local elections held earlier that same month, and the fact it followed the controversial removal by the Labour government of the 10 pence national income tax band, which had seen a backbench rebellion against Prime Minister Gordon Brown, causing an announcement in the same month of a recovery package to help the people left worse off by the move. Immediately following the announcement of the result following the speeches, the defeated Tamsin Dunwoody speaking live to the BBC blamed the swing on a higher turn-out than usual due to the high interest in the election, despite both the turnout and winning vote being lower than the 2005 general election result for this seat. Telling the BBC the Labour vote "held up" in a "democratic decision", defeated candidate Dunwoody called herself a "fighter". New MP Edward Timpson said in his victory speech that he would "not let you down",Sparrow Andrew https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2008/may/23/crewebyelection08.byelections3 Crewe byelection marks end of New Labour, says Cameron 2008-05-23 The Guardian 2020-04-25 Watt Nicholas en-GB 0261-3077 whilst Prime Minister Brown attributed the defeat to rising petrol prices, and the recent increases in the cost of living.Bingham John https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/byelection/2014024/Crewe-and-Nantwich-by-election-Gordon-Brown-admits-Labour-faces-challenge.html Crewe and Nantwich by-election: Gordon Brown admits Labour faces 'challenge' 23 May 2008 The Daily Telegraph 25 April 2020 en-GB 0307-1235 subscription Result 2008 Crewe and Nantwich by-electionhttp://www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk/pdf/YC4344_Statement_Of_Nominated_Parliamentary_Crewe_Nantwich.pdf Statement of persons nominated Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council 8 May 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081031111554/http://www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk/pdf/YC4344_Statement_Of_Nominated_Parliamentary_Crewe_Nantwich.pdf 31 October 2008 deadhttp://www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk/your_council/elections/by-elections_2008.aspx Crewe & Nantwich By-Election, 2008 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council 4 August 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090521234640/http://www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk/your_council/elections/by-elections_2008.aspx 21 May 2009 dead The total of the votes cast for all candidates is 41,498, or 41,565 including spoilt ballots, which does not match the official total of 41,856 given by Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council.Crewe and Nantwich constituency https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/voting_and_elections/elections/parliamentary-general-elections/crewe-and-nantwich-constituency.aspx Cheshire East Council 27 July 2023 Conservative Party (UK) Edward Timpson 20,539 49.5 16.9 Labour Party (UK) Tamsin Dunwoody 12,679 30.6 18.2 Liberal Democrats (UK) Elizabeth Shenton 6,040 14.6 4.0 UK Independence Party Mike Nattrass 922 2.2 New Green Party of England and Wales Robert Smith 359 0.9 New English Democrats Party David Roberts 275 0.7 New Official Monster Raving Loony Party The Flying Brick 236 0.6 New No label Mark Walklate 217 0.5 New Cut Tax on Diesel and Petrol Paul Thorogood 118 0.3 New No label Gemma Garrett 113 0.3 New 7,860 18.9 N/A 41,856 58.2 1.8 67 0.2 Conservative Party (UK) Labour Party (UK) 17.6 Opinion polling An ICM poll from mid-May gave the Conservative candidate 43% to Labour's 39% and the Lib Dems' 16%;https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7394391.stm Crewe within Tories' grasp - poll BBC News 11 May 2008 2 January 2010 a second ICM poll from a week after gave the Conservatives 45% to Labour's 37%.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/by_election_crewe_and_nantwich/1977944/Gordon-Brown-staring-at-disaster-in-Crewe-and-Nantwich-by-election.html https://web.archive.org/web/20080521021642/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/by_election_crewe_and_nantwich/1977944/Gordon-Brown-staring-at-disaster-in-Crewe-and-Nantwich-by-election.html dead 21 May 2008 Gordon Brown staring at disaster in Crewe and Nantwich by-election The Daily Telegraph Patrick Hennessy 18 May 2008 30 April 2010 Candidates On 3 May 2008, incumbent Gwyneth Dunwoody's daughter Tamsin, a former member of the National Assembly for Wales, was selected as the Labour candidate.http://www.creweandnantwichguardian.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2246153.0.gwyneths_daughter_aims_to_be_next_crewe_and_nantwich_mp.php Gwyneth's daughter aims to be next Crewe and Nantwich MP 3 May 2008 Crewe and Nantwich Guardian Prior to Dunwoody's death, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats had already selected candidates to contest the seat at the general election.http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/guide/seat-profiles/creweandnantwich/ UKPollingReport Election Guide 2010 » Crewe and Nantwich The Conservative Party candidate Edward Timpson was a barrister practising in Chester. Since 2006, he had been the Conservative Party's campaigns co-ordinator for the Eddisbury constituency.Edward Timpson - Profile https://web.archive.org/web/20080430134251/http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=people.person.page&personID=137361 30 April 2008 , Conservative Party The Liberal Democrat candidate Elizabeth Shenton had worked as a senior manager for the RBS and NatWest, where she was an active member of the trade union. At the time of the election she was also a councillor in Newcastle-under-Lyme.Elizabeth Shenton biog https://web.archive.org/web/20080510111358/http://www.elizabethshenton.com/elizabeth-shenton-biography/ 10 May 2008 Elizabeth Shenton website The UK Independence Party candidate was Mike Nattrass, MEP for the nearby West Midlands and a former deputy party leader.UKIP to fight Crewe by-election https://web.archive.org/web/20080506145421/http://www.ukip.org/ukip/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=616&Itemid=57 6 May 2008 UK Independence Party Robert Smith, a 23-year-old town planner (and transport planning specialist)Transport expert Robert Smith to contest Crewe by-election Green Party of England and Wales 8 May 2008 http://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/3411 educated at the University of Liverpool stood for the Green Party of England and Wales and particularly campaigned to reverse the privatisation of British Rail (and associated fare increases).http://www.creweandnantwichguardian.co.uk/news/byelection/news/display.var.2282122.0.greens_hit_out_at_excessive_rail_fare_rises.php Greens hit out at excessive rail fare rises 19 May 2008 Crewe and Nantwich GuardianMay 2020 InternetArchiveBot yes http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/crewechronicle/news/tm_headline=robert-smith-green-party%26method=full%26objectid=20939043%26siteid=50020-name_page.html Robert Smith Green Party 21 May 2008 Crewe ChronicleMay 2020 InternetArchiveBot yes The Official Monster Raving Loony Party stood "The Flying Brick" (his legal name, although he was formerly known as Nick Delves), the party's treasurer and Shadow Minister for the Abolition of Gravity. Independent candidate Mark Walklate was a locally educated salesperson (with a business degree) who stood for the Conservatives in the 2006 and 2007 council elections.http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/crewechronicle/news/tm_headline=mark-walklate-independent&method=full&objectid=20903157&siteid=50020-name_page.html https://archive.today/20120710124344/http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/crewechronicle/news/tm_headline=mark-walklate-independent&method=full&objectid=20903157&siteid=50020-name_page.html dead 10 July 2012 Mark Walklate (Independent) 13 May 2008 Crewe Chronicle Paul Thorogood's party, Cut Tax on Petrol and Diesel, was registered with the Electoral Commission on 23 March 2008, with Thorogood as its Leader, Nominating Officer and Treasurer,http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/regulatory-issues/regpoliticalparties.cfm?frmGB=1&frmPartyID=834&frmType=partydetail Register of political parties: Cut Tax on Petrol and Diesel Electoral Commission 12 May 2008 although his party is listed on the nomination paper as "Cut Tax on Diesel and Petrol" (the fourth and sixth words reversed). The newly formed Beauties for Britain Party fielded Gemma Garrett, the then-Miss Great Britain, as a candidate in what was their first election campaign, announcing that they wanted to "help make Westminster as glamorous a place as its fellow European legislatures, where beautiful women abound in the higher echelons of government".Beauty queen targets Parliament BBC News, 5 May 2008 The party was not, however, registered with the Electoral Commission, so she had to stand as an independent. Garrett and fellow independent Mark Walklate are recorded as having no party name or description at all on the official record of candidates as opposed to having the word, 'Independent' by their names on the ballot paper. Campaign The Labour Party ran a personal class-based campaign against the Conservative candidate, calling him "the Tarporley Toff", "Lord Snooty", "Tory Boy Timpson".http://www.creweandnantwichlabour.org.uk/dont_be_conned_by_tory_boy Don't be conned by Tory Boy Crewe and Nantwich Labour dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080925122323/http://www.creweandnantwichlabour.org.uk/dont_be_conned_by_tory_boy 25 September 2008 dmy Labour supporters donned top hats to mock Timpson, whose family own Timpson, a national shoe repair and key-cutting business.http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3972727.ece Attempts to stir class war backfire for Labour in Crewe & Nantwich The Times Ben MacIntyre 21 May 2008 30 April 2010September 2024 medicmedic This has been viewed by some social commentators as a form of reverse snobbery. Dunwoody, who arrived for the campaign from her 6 acre m2 on holding in Wales, was termed "One of us",http://www.creweandnantwichlabour.org.uk Worth Gambling? Crewe and Natwich Labour as she was daughter of the deceased Labour MP. The campaign was criticised by a number of national newspapers, including the left-leaning Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/may/21/conservatives.labour Attacks on toffs will ring hollow until Labour proves its meritocratic mettle The Guardian Jonathan Freedland 21 May 2008 30 April 2010 as well as The Times,http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/daniel_finkelstein/article3972268.ece https://web.archive.org/web/20081202153628/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/daniel_finkelstein/article3972268.ece dead 2 December 2008 Toff stunt is the end for New Labour The Times Daniel Finkelstein 21 May 2008 30 April 2010 while Dunwoody herself was confronted by Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight over the fact that she has an entry in Burke's Peerage and Baronetage.http://www.burkespeerage.com/FamilyHomepage.aspx?FID=4095 Preview Family Record Burke's Peerage and Gentry On the last day of the campaign, the accidental communication by a Conservative party worker of voting intention data of 8,000 people to a radio station sparked an investigation by the Information Commissioner into possible breaches of data protection laws.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7413826.stm Inquiry into Tory e-mail blunder (Deputy Information Commissioner) Mr Smith said: "It is a serious concern if people's personal details and voting intentions have got into the public domain." 21 May 2008 23 May 2008 BBC News History Crewe and Nantwich (constituency) The constituency had been held by Gwyneth Dunwoody for Labour since its creation in 1983.Labour's Member of Parliament - Gwyneth Dunwoody https://web.archive.org/web/20060915174749/http://www.creweandnantwichlabour.org.uk/cnclp.php?id=18 15 September 2006 , Crewe and Nantwich Labour Party Just three parties contested the seat at the 2005 UK general election. Dunwoody held the seat with a reduced majority, while both the Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats enjoyed an increase in their vote share.2005 Result: Crewe & Nantwich, BBC News General election 2005: Crewe and Nantwich Labour Party (UK) Gwyneth Dunwoody 21,240 48.8 5.5 Conservative Party (UK) Eveleigh Moore-Dutton 14,162 32.6 2.2 Liberal Democrats (UK) Paul Roberts 8,083 18.6 5.1 7,078 16.3 7.7 43,485 60.0 0.2 Labour Party (UK) 3.8 References 30em External links Election leaflets from the by-election campaign Crewe and Nantwich by-election Category:By-elections to the Parliament of the United Kingdom in Cheshire constituencies Crewe and Nantwich by-election Category:Crewe Crewe and Nantwich by-election, 2008 Crewe and Nantwich by-election, 2008 Category:Nantwich