HISTORY was made today as Newport East elected Gwent's first female MP.

Former Labour party general secretary in Wales, Jessica Morden, held the seat of former MP Alan Howarth for Labour with a 6,838 majority.

But it was also a night of celebration for the Liberal Democrat candidate Ed Townsend.

The Newport city councillor made the largest gain to second place with 7,551 votes, 98 more than the Conservative candidate Matthew Collings. It came as turnout in the constituency was up more than three per cent on the 2001 election at 58.2 per cent.

The 37-year-old former Croesyceiliog Comprehensive pupil, who was chosen from an all-women candidate shortlist free of the controversy seen in Blaenau Gwent, told the Argus she believed her election was a vindication of the system.

She said: "We didn't come across anyone with a problem with the all women shortlist.

"In fact it was common for people to say it was nice to see a woman for a change."

Already labelled as a "Blair Babe", Miss Morden is hotly tipped to rise quickly through the party ranks.

Speaking after her win, she said she was looking forward to serving the constituency.

She said: "I want to be proactive. To go out to those people who don't have a voice and listen to their concerns."

And at the top of Miss Morden's agenda when she takes her seat in Parliament next Wednesday will be anti-social behaviour and the economy.

She said: "We have done a lot as a government already but there is still a long way to go."

For his part, Lib Dem Ed Townsend said he was happy but not surprised by his party's progress.

He said: "This result shows we are becoming a real alternative. "Democracy is not about one party dominating. We now have a three-way split in this constituency, which is a much fairer reflection of people's views."

He said the lack of trust in the government as a result of the Iraq war was the main reason for people to vote Liberal Democrat.

The Conservatives, who came second in the 2001 election, gained votes yesterday, but not enough to beat Labour or the Liberal Democrats.

Conservative candidate Matthew Collings attributed part of Mr Townsend's success to his work on Newport city council.

He said: "The Liberal Democrat candidate was a local councillor with a strong local following, so there was certainly an appeal there for people."