Tories beat Labour in by-election

Counting is to intend underway presently to determine who has won the first by-election since the Parliamentary expenses scandal.

The Norwich North enquiry was triggered by Labour MP Ian Gibson's selection to step downbound amid criticism from the band executive committee's "star chamber".

Former compartment minister Geoff Hoon has admitted it will be "difficult" for the band to stop the seat.

The result is due to be declared at most 1200 BST on Friday.

Twelve candidates stood in the election, where Labour was defending a majority of 5,549.

BBC semipolitical newswriter Norman adventurer said grownup Conservatives viewed the enquiry as a "must-win".

"Anything inferior would be a momentous reverse that could bring the Cameron juggernaut to a shuddering halt," he said.

However, an due poor turnout - caused by citizen emotion over the expenses gossip - could influence the result.

"I conceive it is pretty arduous for us to win"

Geoff Hoon

What is at wager for the parties

Labour figures emotion the band could slip to third locate behind the Liberal Democrats or Greens, our newswriter said.

Mr Hoon told the BBC's Question Time the enquiry was taking locate at a arduous instance for the government in the region of a recession, with open feelings ease running broad over the expenses scandal.

"This by-election has been a perfect storm for a governance party," the former accumulation and transport helper said.

He recognized that some constituents were unhappy most the artefact in which Dr histrion had been effectively de-selected, which prompted his resignation.

Dr histrion had been barred from stagnant again by the Labour National Executive Committee's "Star Chamber" over his expenses claims.

His local band continued to backwards him and Mr Hoon said Dr histrion had been a "very beatific MP" as substantially as a "very talented man".

"I substantially see why grouping who worked with him, based him and voted for him were afraid most what happened," he added.

The Commons open brass select committee chairman, Labour's Dr Tony Wright, told BBC2's Newsnight he thought Dr histrion had been seriously treated.

"There were grouping in the House of Commons who did far worsened things than he did.

"He was a individual of a moment when all the parties, and all the band leaders, were dropping over each another to exhibit how thickened they were being."

'Real problems'

Mr Hoon acknowledged the situation meant it would be "pretty difficult" for Labour to win.

"For the portion circumstances I ordered out we were always feat to have actual problems in this by-election," he said.

Labour, whose politician Chris Ostrowski was hospitalised with suspected swine contagion on Tuesday, was covering a fierce challenge from the Conservatives.

Tory cheater David Cameron had visited the constituency five times to backwards the party's politician Chloe Smith.

Lib Dem politician Apr Pond and Green Party anticipative Rupert Read were also hoping for strong showings.

Glenn Tingle was stagnant for the UK metropolis Party and parliamentarian West for the BNP.

Among the independents stagnant was Craig Murray, former diplomatist to Uzbekistan, on an anti-sleaze ticket.

Laud Howling stood on behalf of The Official Monster Raving Loony Party patch Thomas Burridge represented The Libertarian Party and Anne Fryatt represented the None of The Above Party.

Peter Baggs and Bill Holden were also stagnant as independents.

The flooded itemize of candidates (in alphabetical order):

Peter Baggs (Independent)

Thomas Burridge (Libertarian Party)

Anne Fryatt (None of The Above Party)

Bill Holden (Independent)

Laud Howling (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)

Craig Murray (Put An Honest Man into Parliament)

Chris Ostrowski (Labour)

April Pond (Liberal Democrat)

Rupert Read (Green)

Chloe adventurer (Conservative)

Glenn Tingle (UK metropolis Party)

Robert West (British National Party)
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