Stephen thanks voters after Conservatives retain Henley

2.08.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 27th Jun 2008

Liberal Democrat candidate Stephen Kearney has given his heartfelt thanks to voters in Henley and all those who have helped his campaign. Conservative John Howell was elected with Stephen in second place. Labour slumped to a dismal 5th on just 3.1% of the vote.

Stephen Kearney:

"Local people have today said that they want to protect the countryside, they want to support local services like the Post office and GP surgeries and above all they want the Government to recognise the pressures that are now being felt by hardworking families.

"People are fed up and angry with this Labour Government. This is an absymal result for the Labour Party after 11 years in Government and that has lost most of its support.

I would like to thank my Party Leader Nick Clegg for his strong support during the campaign - and for the inspiration he is providing for the Liberal Democrats - and the whole Liberal Democrat by-election team and Henley local party that chose me as their candidate."

The result in full was:

• John Howell (Conservative): 19,796 (+3.2%)

• Stephen Kearney (Liberal Democrat): 9,680 (+1.7%)

• Mark Stevenson (Green Party): 1,321

• Timothy Rait (British National Party): 1,243

• Richard McKenzie (Labour): 1,066

• Chris Adams (UK Independence Party): 843

• Bananaman Owen (Official Monster Raving Loony Party): 242

• Derek Allpass (English Democrats Party): 157

• Amanda Harrington (Independent Candidate): 128

• Dick Rodgers (Common Good): 121

• Louise Cole (Independent Candidate): 91

• Harry Bear (Fur Play Party): 73

Turnout was 34,915 (50.5%).