We're back to our Liberal Democrat roots says Rochdale's new MP, Paul Rowen

Date published: 06 May 2005

High drama and extraordinary scenes on what was a roller coaster of an evening; the count at Rochdale Town Hall so close that a recount was requested by Labour. However, the recount confirmed the result and Lorna Fitzsimons lost her seat in the constituency she has served for the past eight years.

The tension was palpable throughout the night as the count swung first one way and then the other. For most of the evening it appeared Labour would retain the seat, albeit with a reduced majority and the Labour party were confident. However, when the postal votes were brought in for counting it became clear that the Liberal Democrats had fared extremely well and Paul Rowen was fast catching Lorna Fitzsimons. Still the count was too close to call and it was only when all the votes had been gathered at the end that Labours confidence ebbed away and the atmosphere changed dramatically.

The candidates and their agents were called together by the returning officer to be told the result, a small Liberal Democrat majority of just over 400 votes. Understandably, with a result this close Labour called for a recount.

Finally, the recount complete, the candidates gathered on the stage in the Great Hall to hear the Lady Mayor, Angela Coric, announce the result - Paul Rowen had pulled off a remarkable victory and overturned Labour's 5000+ majority at the last election.

Lady Mayoress, Katherine Rowen-Pennington, congratulated her son on being the new Liberal Democrat MP for Rochdale: "this is certainly the happiest day of my life, I am so, so proud, more proud than when I became the Mayoress of Rochdale, it is a great moment for both of us."

After the official announcement, Paul Rowen said in his acceptance speech: "tonight, Rochdale has returned to it's Liberal Democrat roots. This is probably the best performance that the party has had since 1923.

Understandably upset, Lorna Fitzsimons remained calm and dignified as she made her final speech. She said, "the last 8 years has been the proudest years of my life, as a Rochdale lass born and bred serving my people, in my town".

Interviewed immediately after his acceptance speech by Rochdale Online Paul Rowen said: "I feel really, really proud for my mum and my family who have worked hard for me, and of course all the Liberal Democrat team that have worked exceptionally hard over the past 8 weeks. Its been a roller coaster evening. I said when I first came in that I didn't know what it was going to be like. We all knew that it would be close, and of course I'm very happy with the end result".

With his Liberal Democrat supporters waiting at the bottom of the Town Hall steps, Paul made his grand entrance as Rochdale's new MP into the magnificent town hall foyer to congratulate them in person. "Thank you all for all of your hard work." he said. "Rochdale is finally back under the Liberal Democrats."

Full result...