FORMER MP Neil Hamilton predicted a Tory landslide in Tatton at the next General Election.

Speaking from his home in Alderley Edge on Monday, the disgraced former minister said Tatton's electorate would not have changed its ways.

"I fully expect the normal pattern will resume unless there is a political earthquake," he said.

In 1997 Martin Bell described his victory over Mr Hamilton as a 'political miracle'.

The former war reporter, who overturned a 20,000 Tory majority, told supporters on the night: "I believe you have lit a beacon which will light dark corners and will illuminate the Mother of Parliament itself."

But this week Mr Hamilton dismissed the events of three years ago and claimed they could have happened in most constituencies in the country.

"If Martin Bell had stood in all but 12 constituencies without a Labour or a Liberal candidate he would have been elected," he said.

Labour has revealed that Steve Conquest would challenge Tory candidate George Osborne at the next General Election.

But party sources have admitted that they believe it will be hard to convert Mr Bell's victory into one of their own.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.