Jo Crotty was not in a talkative mood following her election defeat.

She was asked by the Warrington Guardian how she felt coming third following the result and replied: “What do you think?”

We asked her if she would like to say anything to the people of Warrington but she declined to comment any further.

Meanwhile, her political rivals joined forces last week to condemn her campaign in Warrington South.

Opposition party members complained that boxes were positioned at polling stations across the constituency with a picture of the Lib Dem candidate on them to collect petitions.

But her rivals said that it should not have been allowed as it broke election laws about propaganda in polling stations.

Reports from voters said the boxes were first put inside polling stations but later moved outside.

Clr Paul Kennedy (CON – Hatton, Walton and Stretton) said: “The Liberal Democrats fought the most disgraceful, disgusting and dishonest campaign that I have ever seen. “Their politicians and activists in the constituency should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.”

But a council spokesman said the boxes had not broken any rules as they were outside the polling station.

There were also recriminations over election leaflets from the Lib Dems that said Warrington Hospital could close.

Nick Bent, the Labour candidate, added: “Voters saw through a disgraceful campaign by the Lib Dems.

“It’s no surprise that Jo Crotty came a distant third, just as she has in two previous attempts elsewhere in the country. Staff and patients at Warrington Hospital are still waiting for a public apology.”