Mrs Jacqui Lait (Con) narrowly clung on in Beckenham early today, overcoming the scandal which surrounded the downfall of the previous MP, Mr Piers Merchant. But the majority in what was regarded as a Tory stronghold was sharply reduced, with the 4,953 recorded by Mr Merchant reduced to just 1,227.
Mrs Lait, the Tory leader Mr William Hague's former parliamentary private secretary and a one-time party whip, managed to shake off the lurid headlines which accompanied Mr Merchant's departure in the wake of his extra-marital affair with an 18year-old woman.
Mrs Lait, who lost her seat of Hastings and Rye at the General Election, saw off the challenge of Mr Bob Hughes (Lab), who was his party's losing candidate in Beckenham on May 1st, and who this time around had to battle against the headlines generated by the British government's mishandling of the Formula One tobacco ban exemption.
The Tory vote was clearly hit by the very low turnout - just 43.7 per cent.
One Conservative source, concluding that their supporters had stayed at home while the Labour vote held up, suggested Tories had been disillusioned with local circumstances.
"I think we could put that down to apathy. I think people feel let down by the Tory party and by Piers Merchant in particular."
The previous Tory majority, recorded by Mr Merchant on May 1st, was 4,953.
Mrs Lait acknowledged the Tories had suffered a "big defeat" in May, adding that she had "based my campaign on listening to what the people of Beckenham wanted and responding to those concerns. And we will build up the Conservative Party by doing that."
Mrs Lait said the controversy over Mr Merchant's resignation had not been an issue on the doorstep.
But Mr Hughes attacked the Tories, saying: "This result is a hollow victory for the Tories.
"It is a slap in the face for William Hague. Despite all the talk of a fresh future for the Tory party here in Beckenham, normally one of the safest seats in the country, Tory voters have stayed at home rather than vote for William Hague's party."
He applauded Labour's increased vote, thanking people who backed him in this contest.
Miss Rosemary Vetterlein, the Liberal Democrat candidate who polled 5,864 votes, hailed the result for her party. "This is an excellent result for the Liberal Democrats.
"We have fought a positive campaign and we have got a positive vote. Our share of the vote has increased, which is a personal and party commitment to the Liberal Democrats."
The Liberal Democrat leader, Mr Paddy Ashdown, said it had been a good night for the party in Beckenham and for Miss Vetterlein, and they had increased their share of the vote in the face of a classic squeeze.
Votes cast in yesterday's other poll, in Winchester, were taken to the city's Guildhall for counting. Polling was reported to have been fairly brisk for a by-election, despite the poor weather.
The re-run was called after the result of the General Election, which the Liberal Democrats won by two votes, was declared void by the High Court.
The court was told that 55 ballot papers had been disqualified because they had not been officially stamped, and posters were displayed yesterday at polling stations reminding voters to ensure their paper had been stamped with the official mark.
The Liberal Democrats won the Winchester by-election early today.