"Labour threw everything at Blaenau Gwent, but Blaenau Gwent threw it back in Labour's face" - Opik

9.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 30th Jun 2006

Commenting on last night's by-election in Blaenau Gwent, Lembit Öpik, MP for Montgomeryshire and Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said:

"I'm really pleased with Steve Bard and Amy Kitcher. They've both done a terrific job which puts them in great stead for the future.

"Their efforts have given us a very creditable result, which is more than satisfactory under the unique circumstances of this by-election. When you bear in mind the result in Bromley it's obvious that the only people celebrating this weekend will be the independents and the Lib Dems.

"Labour threw everything at Blaenau Gwent, but Blaenau Gwent threw it all back in Labour's face.

"It's perfectly obvious that this constituency has completely lost faith in a party which once reigned supreme in the Welsh valleys. There's no doubt this was a truly disastrous night for the Labour party.

"Labour's total lack of humility, even in the face of such a defeat, would suggest that they actively don't want to learn the lessons the public are offering- which is a pity for them because they'll keep on losing until they start listening."