Brown hit by remarkable Conservative by-election victory (Roundup)

By Anna Tomforde Jul 24, 2009, 15:19 GMT

Cameron now clearly hopes that Smith\' victory will trigger a similar process of attracting the younger vote and help the Conservatives to shed the image of a party that is dominated by white, middle-aged, upper-class males. EPA/ANDY RAIN

London - Britain's ruling Labour Party suffered a stinging defeat Friday as the Conservatives celebrated the birth of a new political star following a convincing by-election victory.

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.

The by-election was the first test of voters' opinion following widespread public anger over the abuse of parliamentary allowances exposed in May.

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.

'If you're good enough, you're old enough,' Smith replies to suggestions that she is too young for the job.

Apart from working for a number of Conservative MPs in the past, Smith lists her employment at leading accountancy firm Deloitte among her professional experiences.

Conservative leader David Cameron, flanking Smith in Norwich town square, said her 'historic victory' was based on the Tory's promise of greater transparency, honesty and openness in politics.

The Tory Party poured huge resources into the Norwich campaign, with Cameron himself paying six visits to boost Smith's chances of turning from outsider to favourite.

'The people of Norwich North have rejected the old politics of personal attacks, of bickering, of smears and scare stories,' Smith said.

'They have voted for change. And in doing so they have sent a message to Gordon Brown very loud and clear.'

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.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown Friday described the result as 'clearly disappointing' for Labour, but stressed the 'special circumstances' following voters' dismay over the expenses scandal.

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.

Analysts said her victory rekindled memories of the emergence of the 'Blair Babes,' the more than 100 women who were elected to the House of Commons as a result of former prime minister Tony Blair's landslide victory in 1997.

Cameron now clearly hopes that Smith' victory will trigger a similar process of attracting the younger vote and help the Conservatives to shed the image of a party that is dominated by white, middle-aged, upper-class males.

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 general election.