Ed Parkinson reflects on a unique electoral victory in Hartlepool
The ashen face of Peter Mandelson said it all. As he glared across the count at the celebrating 7ft monkey in a Hartlepool shirt, it was clear that he understood his party had just suffered a humiliating defeat of gargantuan proportions. Arhur Preece, the ancient LibDem candidate for mayor, got the message too and retired from politics only days later.