Lib-Dem success in Earley Town Council by-election

12.00.00pm GMT Fri 27th Nov 2009

Councillor Steve Scarrott

Earley Lib Dems are celebrating their success in a by-election in the Radstock ward of Earley Town Council on 26th November. Steve Scarrott held the seat against the Tories by 618 votes to 600. The by-election was caused by the sad death of Lib Dem councillor Carol Mitchell. Steve Scarrott has a wealth of experience and has previously served on the Council.

This came on a day when Lib-Dems made three gains in local elections across the country. The Independent announced the results under the headline "Triple Blow for Tories in council by-elections". The gains were in High Peak Borough, Derbyshire; St Austell Bay, Cornwall Council; and Alveston, Stratford-on-Avon District, Warwickshire.

The Press Association stated that an analysis of eight comparable results this month suggests a 9.4 per cent projected Tory margin over Labour. A calculation based on five wards fought both times by all three major parties gives a line-up of C 36.4 per cent, Lib Dem 27.5 per cent, Lab 26.1 per cent.