Well, we're done. Not the biggest surprise, but then we never expected it to be.
Thanks for all your comments tonight, and for sticking with us - we hope it was worth it!
To bed....
Nigel, Nick and Dan
Friday, 27 June 2008
Howell 'humbled' by win
Henley MP John Howell is 'humbled and overjoyed' with his imposing election victory.
The Conservative candidate told the Standard: "I am absolutely overjoyed - it is a fantastic result, not just for but for the Conservative party as a whole.
"From the beginning of the campaign we didn't believe there is a safe seat for any party, and that is still my view. We have all worked extremely hard.
"Tomorrow the hard work begins. I am looking forward to getting into the House of Commons and starting work as soon as possible.
"I want to get on with dealing with the problems facing people I have spoken to during my campaigning.
"Tomorrow I'm off on an away day with the Conservative party to discuss policies for the general election, which of course can't come soon enough for us.
"My message for the people of Henley is one of great thanks. I am humbled by the number of votes I received, and the size of the majority. I am delighted voters have had such trust in me and all I can say is that I won't let them down."
The Conservative candidate told the Standard: "I am absolutely overjoyed - it is a fantastic result, not just for but for the Conservative party as a whole.
"From the beginning of the campaign we didn't believe there is a safe seat for any party, and that is still my view. We have all worked extremely hard.
"Tomorrow the hard work begins. I am looking forward to getting into the House of Commons and starting work as soon as possible.
"I want to get on with dealing with the problems facing people I have spoken to during my campaigning.
"Tomorrow I'm off on an away day with the Conservative party to discuss policies for the general election, which of course can't come soon enough for us.
"My message for the people of Henley is one of great thanks. I am humbled by the number of votes I received, and the size of the majority. I am delighted voters have had such trust in me and all I can say is that I won't let them down."
The numbers
Here's the figures:
John Michael Howell- Conservative : 19,796
Stephen Andrew Kearney- Lib Dem: 9,680
Mark Christopher Stevenson - Green: 1,321
Timothy Sylvester Rait - BNP: 1,243
Richard Mark McKenzie - Labour: 1,066
Christopher Mark Adams -UKIP: 843
Peter Thomas Owen - Loony : 242
John Derek Allpass - English Democrats : 157
Amanda Jayne Harrington - Independent: 128
Richard Rodgers - Common Good: 121
Louise Anne Cole - Independent: 91
James Christopher Poole - Fur Play: 73
A few incidents of note as the figures came out. A few shouted insults and a chorus of boos greeted the BNP's surprising turnout.
John Howell's response to the win was understated at best. No shows of flamboyance from the Tories.
The final image on the stage was of the Ravig Loony candidate, Bananaman, attempting to give his thanks as the mikes appeared to have been switched off, and the other candidates slinked off unbeknown to him.
John Michael Howell- Conservative : 19,796
Stephen Andrew Kearney- Lib Dem: 9,680
Mark Christopher Stevenson - Green: 1,321
Timothy Sylvester Rait - BNP: 1,243
Richard Mark McKenzie - Labour: 1,066
Christopher Mark Adams -UKIP: 843
Peter Thomas Owen - Loony : 242
John Derek Allpass - English Democrats : 157
Amanda Jayne Harrington - Independent: 128
Richard Rodgers - Common Good: 121
Louise Anne Cole - Independent: 91
James Christopher Poole - Fur Play: 73
A few incidents of note as the figures came out. A few shouted insults and a chorus of boos greeted the BNP's surprising turnout.
John Howell's response to the win was understated at best. No shows of flamboyance from the Tories.
The final image on the stage was of the Ravig Loony candidate, Bananaman, attempting to give his thanks as the mikes appeared to have been switched off, and the other candidates slinked off unbeknown to him.
Conservative win
Conservatives win the Henley by-election, but Lib Dems slightly reduce the party's majority.
Henley MP John Howell thanks the voters for the 'great trust they have placed in me'.
Labour forced into fifth by Mark Stevenson, the Green Party candidate, and BNP in what is a shocking result for Gordon Brown
All results, reaction and figures to follow.
Dan Hearn.
Henley MP John Howell thanks the voters for the 'great trust they have placed in me'.
Labour forced into fifth by Mark Stevenson, the Green Party candidate, and BNP in what is a shocking result for Gordon Brown
All results, reaction and figures to follow.
Dan Hearn.
A river runs through it
The Prime Minister out of touch? Surely not. Surely Mr B knows what's going on in Henley?
Apparently, (and happily) yes.
Politics, after all, is about nuance, isn't it? And Mr Brown knows that Henley equals regatta equals river, right?
And your correspondent tonight has learned from the highest authority here in Thame (a local Labour MP) that after receiving various dispatches on how things were going in Henley.
The PM replied, he said: "I hear we've had a good campaign for lock-keepers in Henley."
The moment has come.....declaration about to be made....
Apparently, (and happily) yes.
Politics, after all, is about nuance, isn't it? And Mr Brown knows that Henley equals regatta equals river, right?
And your correspondent tonight has learned from the highest authority here in Thame (a local Labour MP) that after receiving various dispatches on how things were going in Henley.
The PM replied, he said: "I hear we've had a good campaign for lock-keepers in Henley."
The moment has come.....declaration about to be made....
A sad farewell?
Crazed paparazzi clambering over each other in the confines of Thame Leisure Centre can mean only one thing - the Miss Great Britain ladies are here.
Elections can be far too stodgy and serious at the best of times, and even the biggest cynic would be hard pressed to deny they've brought glamour and humour to proceedings. Much like the Loonies, who are also here, though perhaps less beauty from them.
But I bring bad news - both Louise Cole and Amanda Harrington have just confirmed that this will be their last election - providing, of course, they don't win.
Both told me they had great fun, learnt a lot but feel they should let someone else have a go.
Honourable intentions undoubtedly, but this hack for one mourns their premature retirement from politics.
Elections can be far too stodgy and serious at the best of times, and even the biggest cynic would be hard pressed to deny they've brought glamour and humour to proceedings. Much like the Loonies, who are also here, though perhaps less beauty from them.
But I bring bad news - both Louise Cole and Amanda Harrington have just confirmed that this will be their last election - providing, of course, they don't win.
Both told me they had great fun, learnt a lot but feel they should let someone else have a go.
Honourable intentions undoubtedly, but this hack for one mourns their premature retirement from politics.
Result due at 1.30 a.m!
Which would be magnificent, given the ludicrous finish of 4.30 a.m. in 2005.
So here's hoping - stick with us, for it seems the result is nigh!
So here's hoping - stick with us, for it seems the result is nigh!
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