NRI, Parmjit Dhanda MP, 2005
Gloucester- Labour Party

London, May 05, 2005

Labour supporters in Gloucester were in jubilant mood early today after Parmjit Dhanda bucked the national trend and increased his majority in the city.

Mr Dhanda increased his winning margin to more than 4,250 votes, one of the few seats in the country to see a swing from the Conservative Party to Labour. In an emotional speech to his supporters, Mr Dhanda said that victory was sweeter for him now than in 2001.

He said: "Can I say that this is something that is even better the second time around rather than the first time around.

"I can remember standing at Beaufort School just after I had won at the last election, when nobody in Gloucester really knew who I was, or what I was about.

"To come back four years later under not the easiest set of circumstances with everything that has happened within the political situation and to be returned with an increased majority is a very humbling experience indeed."

Mr Dhanda polled 23,138 votes, a 45% share of the total cast, with his Conservative rival Paul James trailing in second place with 18,867 votes.

Mr Dhanda, speaking shortly after the result was announced at 2.40am, said: "I am a little bit stunned to be honest, we were expecting a really close result tonight and to get a bigger majority like that is very satisfying indeed.

"I am extremely grateful to the people of Gloucester. Obviously they like what they have seen over the last four years and I promise them that I will continue to roll my sleeves up and deliver for them.

"They are the people that really count here and I feel that Gloucester now really is my home.

"Four years ago when I was elected, people may well have been a little bit unsure about me, but I love this place, I love the people, and I am an extremely lucky man to be able to represent what I believe to be the finest constituency in the land.

"I intend to work very, very hard for them in the next four years, and hopefully for many years beyond."

Losing Conservative candidate Mr James, who also lost to Mr Dhanda in 1997, was magnanimous in defeat, saying: "When you choose to live a competitive life, you have to expect defeats as well as victories."

He refused to rule out another attempt to win the seat at another election.

He said: "That is not a matter that is solely in my hands, although it is not something that I believe a decision should be made now, it should be made after a period of reflection.

"However, I still have lots of things to get on with. I still have my important council role and I certainly will not be walking away from my public life in the city."

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