By-election "Earthquake" leaves Labour's time running out

1.47.07pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 30th Jun 2006

Comment from Mike German, Assembly leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, following the Blaenau Gwent by-elections.

Mike German said: "The results of the Blaenau Gwent by-elections represent an earthquake in Welsh politics. In Blaenau Gwent - as in Bromley - Labour has been punished by the voters. The historically strong links between the Labour Party and South Wales are being unstitched.

"The result shows that despite having a massive election war-chest Labour could not buy their way back in to people's affections. Labour's time is running out. They have already lost the cities of Cardiff and Swansea at council level. Now they have lost a valleys seat where Labour majorities used to be weighed, not counted.

"Welsh Liberal Democrats have put down a marker, letting the people of Blaenau Gwent know that we care about the issues they care about - saving local services such as post offices and a local police force and standing up for the area. This result is a stepping stone which leaves us in a better position for next year's Welsh General Election and the council elections in 2008.

"There will be no change in our attitude in the Assembly. We will continue to provide responsible opposition. We will continue to work with the other opposition parties - and now Trish Law - where we believe we can offer more than Rhodri Morgan's tired limp-a-long administration.

"Rhodri Morgan's Assembly government has hobbled from crisis to crisis throughout this term. I am expecting an equally dull programme for their last ten months in office."