Lib Dems helped by massive swing

General Election 2010: Lib Dems hold Westmorland and Lonsdale with massive swing

General Election 2010: Lib Dems hold Westmorland and Lonsdale with massive swing

By Aled Thomas

The Liberal Democrats have held Westmorland and Lonsdale with a huge favourable swing of 11.1%.

The Lib Dem candidate Tim Farron received 30,896 votes, increasing a three-figure majority to an enormous 12,000.

In a two-horse race, the Conservative candidate Gareth McKeever won 18,632 votes.

On what has been a disappointing night for the Liberal Democrats, the victory brings the party’s total of seats this far to 56, increasing its power in a hung parliament.