Brown hit by remarkable Conservative by-election victory in Britain

Jul 24, 2009, 12:48 GMT

London - A British by-election triggered by the recent scandal over parliamentary expenses was won by the Conservatives Friday in what was seen as a further setback to the political fortunes of Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Conservative candidate Chloe Smith, a 27-year-old business consultant, won the seat of Norwich North, in eastern Britain, a former Labour stronghold, gaining twice as many votes as the Labour Party candidate.

Smith will join the Westminster parliament as its youngest member after the summer recess. She is the youngest woman ever to be elected as a Conservative member of parliament (MP).

Former prime minister Margaret Thatcher was 33 when she first won the seat of Finchley in London in 1959.

The by-election was forced by the resignation of Labour MP Ian Gibson, who stepped down in anger after being implicated in the expenses scandal.

The Labour candidate nominated to challenge Smith, Chris Ostrowski, had to withdraw from active campaigning after being struck down with swine flu.

Smith won 40 per cent of the vote, with some 16 per cent of Labour backers switching their support to the Conservatives, analysis showed.

'The people of Norwich North have voted for change. And in doing so they have sent a message to Gordon Brown very loud and clear,' said Smith.

Her victory is seen as a boost for the opposition Conservative Party, led by David Cameron, who is expected to challenge Brown for the premiership in a general election next summer.

It is still rare for a woman to become a Tory MP under the age of 40, let alone under 30, and analysts said the victory could mark a turning point towards a new generation of MPs entering the House of Commons next year.

As a result of the scandal over the abuse of parliamentary allowances, which rocked all parties earlier this year, a small number of MPs have been forced to give up their seats with immediate effect, but more than 50 others are expected not to stand again in next year's nationwide poll.