General election 2010: Labour wins battle of Wavertree
By Chris Bradley
Luciana Berger has won the Liverpool Wavertree seat, despite the controversy surrounding her ability to perform her role as an MP on Merseyside.
Ms Berger won with 20,132 votes, a majority of 7167. The 28-year-old Londoner beat Lib Dem candidate Colin Eldridge who achieved 12,965 votes. Conservative Andrew Garnett came third and achieved 2,830 of votes.
Ms Berger thanked the people of Wavertree and said: “I hope I do you proud.”
The campaign has been a highly charged fight to win over voters between Lib Dem Colin Eldridge and Ms Berger.
She had been criticised over her lack of local knowledge, including failing to know who Liverpool FC legend Bill Shankly was.
The 28-year-old Londoner paid tribute to Jane Kennedy, who is stepping down after 20 years as Labour MP for Wavertree.
Ms Berger added: “I would like to thank everybody involved in the campaign. Every party member and every volunteer tonight is testament to your hard work.”
The Lib Dem candidate announced defeat on Twitter earlier tonight and he took to the podium after Miss Berger.
Mr Eldridge thanked his campaign staff who have helped him over the past seven years.
“We did our best, we gave it everything we had,” he said.
“I’m so proud of all the people who came out day and night because we believe in the Liberal Democrats.”
Ms Berger achieved almost 1,700 more votes than Jane Kennedy in 2005. Voter turnout was up ten per cent.
