Labour wins Pontypool by-election

Labour gained in the latest council by-elections, taking the Pontypool seat in an eight-cornered contest at Torfaen County Borough, South Wales.

Party candidate John Killick triumphed by 17 votes in a contest that attracted five independent runners as well as Plaid Cymru and a Tory.

Conservatives finished seventh, polling just 18.

The only other reported by-election, at Bellingham in south London's Lewisham Borough, saw a lower swing to Labour than others recorded recently in its traditional city strongholds.

This is partly accounted for by the 12.3% vote share for Socialist Alternative.

Tories just managed to overtake Lib Dems for second place.

RESULTS

Lewisham London Borough - Bellingham: Lab 1100, C 340, Lib Dem 334, Socialist Alternative 264, Green 100. (May 2010 - Three seats Lab 2380, 2269, 1925, Lib Dem 1472, 1220, 1170, C 1048, 911, 761, Community need before private greed 318, Green 300, 258, 217). Lab hold. Swing 4.8% C to Lab.

Torfaen County Borough - Pontypool: Lab 178, Ind 161, Ind 80, Plaid Cymru 50, Ind 46, Ind 25, C 18, Ind 12. (May 2008 - Ind 291, Lab 171, People's Voice 97). Lab gain from Ind.