A brother of Progressive Democrat senator Tommy Morrissey was among the winners in England's local elections. PJ Morrissey took a seat for the Liberal Democrats on Newcastle City Council, having joined the party only last January.
In April he was invited to stand as a candidate in the Labour stronghold of Fenham, a ward the Lib Dems had never previously contested. Although unknown in the area at the start of the campaign, he polled 1,482 votes to beat the Labour candidate by 105.
A former lecturer who now works for a voluntary organisation providing support to vulnerable older people, Mr Morrissey said the vote reflected widespread disillusionment with Labour.