EDWARD Timpson, new MP for Crewe & Nantwich and the first Tory to gain a seat in a by-election held by another party for 25 years, took his place in the Commons this afternoon to loud Conservative cheers,.

Graham Dines

EDWARD Timpson, new MP for Crewe & Nantwich and the first Tory to gain a seat in a by-election held by another party for 25 years, took his place in the Commons this afternoon to loud Conservative cheers,.

The Conservative benches were packed as the Crewe and Nantwich victor arrived in the chamber, flanked by party colleagues shadow chancellor George Osborne, MP for neighbouring Tatton in Cheshire and former minister Angela Browning (Tiverton and Honiton).

He then shook hands with the Speaker Michael Martin before leaving the chamber to another loud cheer.

While the Conservative benches were full for the occasion, most Labour MPs stayed away.