Lib Dems win again

12.44.55pm GMT Fri 3rd Dec 2004

Sollitt: Only the Liberal Democrats are proving they have the ability to beat Labour in areas previously considered their heartlands.

Steve Sollitt is hailing a Lib Dem victory in a Hampshire County Council Election from third place as further proof of Labour's vulnerability locally.

Ann Buckley scored an amazing triumph by winning the Battins and Bondfields ward of Hampshire County Council on December 2nd.

The by-election was caused by the death of Labour's group leader and was one of Labour's safest seats in the County. The Liberal Democrats won the seat with a stunning 33.5% swing.

The full result (with % change since 2001) was:

Ann Buckley (Liberal Democrat) 978 (56.5% +36.1)

Anne Edwards (Labour) 433 (25.0% -31.0)

Jane Rayner (Conservative) 285 (16.5% -7.0)

Kevin Jacks (Green) 33 (1.9%)

Steve said:

"This sort of collapse in the Labour vote nearby proves that where the Lib Dems work, we can beat them.

"In the last four Parliamentary by-elections, the Conservatives have proved to be no challenge to Labour - trailing to third humiliating, and in Hartlepool fourth, places each time. In each case, the Lib Dems proved the real challenges - moving from third place each time to win two and come close in the other two.

"Only the Liberal Democrats are proving they have the ability to beat Labour in areas previously considered their heartlands - week after week."