Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Labour boost but gains for all in by-elections

Chris Mead,Press Association
Friday 27 February 2009 07:30 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Labour gained in the latest council by-elections, defying the overall voting trend.

Former councillor Sheila Carlson won back the Court ward seat at Surrey's Epsom Ewell Borough that she lost to Liberal Democrats in 2007.

But Lib Dems' Marion Olive gained from Tories at Honiton St Michaels, East Devon District, where her party failed to fight in the main contests two years ago.

But it was Conservatives' turn to triumph when William Keen took a Residents Association seat in a second Epsom and Ewell poll at Ruxley.

Conservatives held on at Rushall-Shelfield, Walsall Borough, but there was a big swing to Labour.

The BNP's vote share slipped in the only seat it fought this week at Greasley Giltbrook and Newthorpe, Broxtowe Borough, Nottinghamshire.

Analysis of 14 comparable results this month suggests a projected 12.5 per cent nationwide Tory lead over Labour.

A calculation based on nine wards fought both times by all three major parties gives a line-up of: C 47.7 per cent, Lab 33.7 per cent, Lib Dem 11.6 per cent.

The low Liberal Democrat figure is mainly caused by the large number of wards contested this month where the party was already weak and vulnerable to squeezing.

RESULTS

Broxtowe Borough - Greasley Giltbrook and Newthorpe: C 1125, Lab 600, BNP 301, Lib Dem 232, Ukip 31. (May 2007 Three seats - C 1232, 1136, 1129, Lab 624, 474, 448, BNP 396, Lib Dem 280, 243, 205). C hold. Swing 2.5% C to Lab.

East Devon District - Honiton St Michaels: Lib Dem 636, C 609. (May 2007 - Three seats C 1101, 1072, 929, Lab 476). Lib Dem gain from C.

Epsom and Ewell Borough - Court: Lab 377, Lib Dem 343, C 281, Residents 143. (May 2007 - Three seats Lib Dem 589, 527, 524, Lab 455, 418, 391, C 251, 234, 216, Residents 181, 126). Lab gain from Lib Dem. Swing 6.1% Lib Dem to Lab,

Epsom and Ewell Borough - Ruxley: C 564, Residents 363, Lab 73, Lib Dem 60, Ukip 40. (May 2007 - Three seats Residents 605, 521, C 518, Residents 503, C 480, 479, Lab 125, 125, 108, Lib Dem 104, 92, 90). C gain from Residents. Swing 7.4% Lab to C.

Walsall Borough - Rushall-Shelfield: C 809, Lab 411, Lib Dem 178, Ukip 165, Green 61. (May 2008 - C 1480, Lab 477, Lib Dem 302, Green 167). C hold. Swing 8.4% C to Lab.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in