The success of the anti-war Lib Dems was a clear indication of the importance of Iraq to voters, as was the success of rebel MP George Galloway's Respect Party which picked up 3,724 votes in Leicester standing on the single issue.
Both there and in Hodge Hill it comfortably polled well over the 5% needed to save its deposit.

The suggestion that we campaigned on a single issue is rather unkind, and also untrue.  This election literature , for example, discusses jobs, housing, privatisation, education etc. 

Nevertheless, although these results for Respect reflect the potential diversity and depth of our appeal, one simple caveat needs to be entered - it is far easier to achieve these kinds of results in a local by-election than in a General Election.  Obvious enough, but worth remembering.  If we want to achieve these kinds of results (and perhaps improve on them) in a General Election, it will require a dynamic expansion of the membership and of funding.  That will need union support, as well as support from community groups.  These results do, however, set us in good stead for the Tower Hamlets council by-election in which Oliur Rahman is standing for us.

The best thing about these results, however, is the fate of the Conservative Party.  Trailing in the polls, beaten by both Labour and the Lib Dems, a proven failure of a political entity.  Good riddance.