CHANGE IN NORWICH NORTH
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Ian Gibson, former UEA Dean of Biology and one of the heads that rolled during the expenses scandal, was replaced in the July by-election by Conservative Chloe Smith, in what was seen by many as an augur for the imminent general election.

Following the 2005 election, Gibson held the seat with a majority of over 5,000, and almost 45% of the vote. Astoundingly, the by-election saw the vote share for Labour candidate Chris Ostrowski plummet to just a whisker over 18%, and saw the Tories snatch the seat with a majority of more than 7,000.

Despite a Conservative victory being predicted by many, the scale of this trouncing (a swing of 16.5%) shocked many observers.

Smaller parties did well in the election, capitalizing on the cynical mood following the scandal. UKIP and the Greens almost tripled their vote. The BNP took 941 votes.

Chloe Smith, at The Project’s request, commented that she is intent on standing up for "young people’s voices in politics", and that she wishes to see "much greater help for people trying to enter the jobs market locally and nationally…[as well as]...more apprenticeships and a simpler further education system".

NATASHA ROSS
REPORTER