Lib Dems suffer landslide defeat in County Durham by-election
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Your support makes all the difference.Liberal Democrats went down to a landslide defeat in the latest council by-elections on one of the biggest swings since they formed the coalition Government with the Tories.
Labour's Jimmy Alvey gained at Peterlee West, County Durham, on a shift of more than 36%.
Lib Dems slumped from first place in the 2008 main polls to a poor third.
The party's only comfort was that its votes share was barely changed in five wards which were previously fought since the formation of the coalition.
At Earith, Huntingdonshire District, Ukip soared from last place to second, missing a spectacular gain from the Conservatives by just 87 votes.
There was also a big swing against the Tories, this time to Labour, at Woodhall Farm, Dacorum Borough, Hertfordshire.
However, there was relief for the Conservatives when they comfortably held on at West Devon Borough's Tavistock North ward where earlier this year they had lost another seat to an independent.
Analysis of seven comparable results suggested a projected 8.4% nationwide Labour lead over the Tories compared with 7% in a BBC survey of this May's main elections.
A calculation based on six wards fought both times by all three major parties gives a line-up of Lab 39.2%, C 30.7%, Lib Dem 15.2%.
RESULTS
Carlisle City - Harrowby: Lab 637, C 180, Ukip 90, Lib Dem 71, Green 31. (May 2012 - Lab 961, C 299, Ukip 130, Green 61, Lib Dem 60). Lab hold. Swing 0.7% C to Lab.
Dacorum District - Woodhall Farm: C 566, Lab 406, Lib Dem 70, English Democrats 47, Ukip 43, Green 24. (May 2011 - Two seats C961, 912, Lab 365, 322, Lib Dem 145, 111). C hold. Swing 14.1% C to Lab.
Dudley Borough - Norton: C 1375, Lab 633, Lib Dem 259, Ukip 229, Green 143, National Front 47. (May 2012 - C 1570, Lab 801, Ukip 441, Lib Dem 237, Green 215). C hold. Swing 2% Lab to C.
Durham County - Peterlee West: Lab 767, Ind 181, Lib Dem 99, C 47. (May 2008 - Two seats Lib Dem 857, 833, Lab 685, 664). Lab gain from Lib Dem. Swing 36.1% Lib Dem to Lab.
Elmbridge Borough - Esher: C 711, Residents 665, Lab 91, Ukip 30. (May 2011 - C 1179, Esher Residents Association 920, Lab 114). C hold. Swing 3.4% C to Lab.
Hertfordshire County - Hemel Hempstead Town C 1413, Lab 693, Lib Dem 456, Green 180, Ukip 151, Ind 61. (June 2009 - C 2264, Lib Dem 944, Lab 655, Green 590). C hold. Swing 5.9% C to Lab.
Huntingdonshire District - Earith: C 524, Ukip 437, Lab 96, Lib Dem 92, Monster Raving Loony 56. (May 2011 - C 1410, Lab 335, Lib Dem 323, Ukip 217). C hold. Swing 22.5% C to Ukip.
West Devon Borough - Tavistock North: C 349, Ind 206, Lab 196, Lib Dem 187. (May 2011 - Three seats C 706, 592, 584, Ind 583, 576, Lib Dem 490, 406, Ind 369, Lab 367, Lib Dem 248. March 22 2012 by-election - Ind 407, C 256, Lib Dem 225, Lab 125, Ukip 78, Ind 57). C hold. Swing 1.2% Lab to C.
PA
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