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Election 2001 winners

13/ 6/2001

HAZEL GROVE: Andrew Stunell

HAZEL Grove LibDem MP Andrew Stunell was thrilled that his party had won the seat for the second successive election - the first time this has ever happened.

His majority was reduced from nearly 12,000 to less than 8,500, due to a dramatic drop in voter turn out and a swing of just over one per cent to his Conservative opponent, Nadine Bargery.

The turn out in what until 1997 had been a tight Conservative/LibDem marginal was only 59 per cent, compared with a healthy 76 per cent last time when Mr Stunell captured the seat from the Tories with a swing of over 12 per cent.

"I am absolutely delighted to be re-elected as LibDem MP for Hazel Grove and we have created a small piece of history," Mr Stunell told jubilant supporters.

"The seat has been won three times by the Liberals and LibDems and this is the first time we have ever retained it," he added. He admitted he was "disappointed" with the turn out but pleased with his party's improved position in the new Parliament.

Ms Bargery predicted the seat would return to the Conservatives in four years time, although she said it was too early to say whether she would fight it again then.