Labour gains in Midlands marginals

Labour gained two West Midland marginals from Tories in the latest council by-elections.

Candidate Elsie Bates triumphed at Newchapel, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough, Staffordshire on a further switch to the party since it took another ward seat in May.

And Julie Fitzpatrick followed up her husband's victory earlier this year at Bloxwich East, Walsall Borough.

In Scotland, Labour defended a seat at Coatbridge North and Glenboig, North Lanarkshire Council.

There was a swing to the SNP compared with the last main council polls in 2007 but a net movement back to Labour since a 2009 by-election.

Analysis of 17 comparable by-elections in October suggests a projected 3% nationwide Labour lead over Tories.

A calculation based on eight wards fought both times by all three major parties gives a line-up of: Lab 37.9%, C 34.8%, Lib Dem 17.2%.

Results:

Cornwall County - Bude North and Stratton: Lib Dem 958, C 395, Lab 120, Ind 93. (June 2009 - Lib Dem 1557, C 595). Lib Dem hold. Swing 4.4% Lib Dem to C.

Lancashire County - Wyreside: C 2178, Lab 877, Ukip 361, Green 339. (June 2009 - C 3582, Green 1147, Lab 710). C hold. Swing 9.1% C to Lab.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough - Newchapel: Lab 248, C 160, Ukip 118, Lib Dem 17. (May 2011 - Lab 304, C 254, Ind 168, Ukip 143, Lib Dem 60). Lab gain from C. Swing 5.4% C to Lab.

North Yorkshire County - Thornton Dale and The Wolds: C 1122, Lib Dem 574. (June 2009 - C 1665, Lib Dem 804, Lab 239). C hold. Swing 0.3% Lib Dem to C.

North Lanarkshire Council - Coatbridge North and Glenboig: Lab 1527, SNP 1139, C 174, Lib Dem 78. (May 2007 - Four seats SNP 1983, Lab 1982, 828, C 714, Ind 604, Lab 416, Scottish Socialist Party 219. Elected: Lab 2, SNP 1, Ind 1. June 4 2009 by-election: Lab 1529, SNP 1254, Ind 557, C 361, No description 217, Green 115, SSP 81). Lab hold. Swing 2.5% Lab to SNP.

Walsall Borough - Bloxwich East: Lab 922, C 834, Ukip 98, English Democrats 49, Green 16. (May 2011 - Lab 1205, C 1191, Ukip 229, Democratic Labour Party 107, Lib Dem 81). Lab gain from C. Swing 2% C to Lab.

PA