Plaid Cymru defeats Labour in latest by-elections

Labour went down to a landslide defeat against Plaid Cymru in the latest council by-elections.

But it gained from Tories in another contest.

Plaid's Ian Johnson triumphed at Buttrills, Vale of Glamorgan County, south Wales, on a huge swing since the main polls just three months ago.

But Labour's Robin Renshaw was the victor at Lincolnshire County's Lincoln East division, boosting party hopes of widespread gains in next May's English shire contests.

The Labour loss at Vale of Glamorgan follows last week's defeat by an independent at Stoke-on-Trent, suggesting that the current swing is less a positive movement to the party and more a reflection of the coalition Government's unpopularity.

RESULTS:

Lincolnshire County - Lincoln East: Lab 565, C 314, Lib Dem 95, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition 79, Ukip 79, English Democrats 24. (June 2009 - C 713, Lab 627, Lib Dem 487). Lab gain from C. Swing 13.2% C to Lab.

South Holland District - Fleet: C 285, Ind 233. (May 2011 - C 430, Ind 300). C hold.

South Holland District - Long Sutton: Ind 946, C 757. (May 2011 - Three seats Ind 1658, 1369, 1220, C 1152, 569). Ind hold.

Vale of Glamorgan County - Buttrills: Plaid Cymru 541, Lab 503, C 90, Ind 82. (May 2012 - Two seats Lab 742, 690, Plaid Cymru 420, 388, C 197, 172, Ind 138). Plaid Cymru gain from Lab. Swing 12.3% Lab to Plaid Cymru.

Wealden District - Polegate North: C 494, Ind 267, C 263, Ukip 212, Lab 76. (May 2011 - Two seats Ind 1017, Lib Dem 680, C 544, 402, Lib Dem 336, Lab 148). Lib Dem hold. Swing 7.9% C to Lib Dem.

PA