Cameron ready to build on success in by-election

DAVID Cameron was today set to capitalise on an expected Conservative win in the Crewe and Nantwich by-election by calling an early poll in Henley, the seat set to be vacated by Boris Johnson, the new London mayor.

The Tories hope to build on the momentum of what they expect to be their first by-election win for more than 25 years, to fend off a strong Liberal Democrat challenge in the Oxfordshire town. The dates 26 June and 3 July are already being pencilled in as likely slots for a Henley by-election.

While increasingly confident of victory in Crewe and Nantwich, senior Conservatives were yesterday attempting to damp down party expectations on the eve of the poll – anxious not to appear to be taking victory for granted.

However, some optimistic Tories believed their candidate, Edward Timpson, could be in line for a majority rivalling the 7,000 margin held by the late Gwyneth Dunwoody, whose daughter, Tamsin, was contesting the seat for Labour.

A victory by whatever margin would be a political milestone for the Tories. Labour has held the Cheshire seat since the Second World War, and it is 165th on the Conservatives' list of target seats. The Tories need a swing of 8.2 per cent to win the Crewe and Nantwich by-election.