Lib Dems make landslide gains in by-elections

Liberal Democrats made two landslide gains from Tories in the latest council by-elections, suggesting their voting support has not been dented after the resignation from the Government of Chris Huhne.

Their candidate Chris Lofts took Northamptonshire County Council's Towcester division on a massive swing of more than 30% since the 2009 shire polls.

Party colleague Lisa Samiotis triumphed at Towcester Brook, South Northamptonshire District.

This brings the total of Lib Dem gains this month to three, after a win from Labour last week.

But Labour ex-minister and former Staffordshire Moorlands MP Charlotte Atkins won a district council seat from Ukip at Leek North on a switch of more than 19% since last May.

Tory Neal Podmore gained Staffordshire's Leek South division.

These two seats became vacant after the death of a Ukip councillor who represented both of them.

Analysis of six comparable results suggest a projected 2% nationwide Labour lead over Conservative, the same margin calculated in a BBC survey of last May's council polls.

This week's line-up based on five wards fought both times by all three major parties is: C 36.1%, Lab 34.5%, Lib Dem 19.3%.

RESULTS

Hampshire County - Winchester Southern Parishes: C 1661, Lib Dem 1038, Ukip 133, Green 130, Lab 124. (June 2009 - C 2625, Lib Dem 1232, Ukip 557, Lab 139). C hold. Swing 5.2% C to Lib Dem.

Northamptonshire County - Towcester: Lib Dem 1279, C 638, Ukip 124, BNP 66. (June 2009 - C 1648, Lib Dem 760, Lab 293). Lib Dem gain from C. Swing 31.6% C to Lib Dem.

South Lakeland District - Windermere Town: Lib Dem 418, C 85, Lab 50, Ukip 20. (May 2011 - Lib Dem 537, C 117, Lab 114). Lib Dem hold. Swing 1.7% C to Lib Dem.

South Northamptonshire District - Towcester Brook: Lib Dem 774, C 401, Ukip 129. (May 2011 - Three seats Lib Dem 857, C 831, Lib Dem 811, C 785, 753, Lib Dem 645, Ukip 266, 178). Lib Dem gain from C. Swing 13.6% C to Lib Dem.

Staffordshire County - Leek South: C 725, Ukip 556, Lab 432, Lib Dem 419, Moorlands Democratic Alliance 336, Ind 192. (June 2009 - Ukip 1766, C 1355, Lib Dem 905, Lab 470, Green 323). C gain from Ukip. Swing 7.4% Ukip to C.

Staffordshire Moorlands District - Leek North: Lab 514, Ukip 188, C 178, Moorlands Democratic Alliance 33, Lib Dem 24 . (May 2011 - Three seats Ukip 694, Lab 657, 527, C 423, Ukip 336, Ind 277, C 275, 170). Lab gain from Ukip. Swing 19.1% Ukip to Lab.

Suffolk County - Kesgrave and Rushmere St Andrews: C 1302, Lab 804, Lib Dem 514. (June 2009 - Two seats C 2821, 2799, Lib Dem 1426, 1378, Lab 689, 546). C hold. Swing 13.2% C to Lab.

Suffolk Coastal District - Kesgrave East: C 531, Lab 241, Lib Dem 194. (June 2011 - Three seats C 1405, 1390, 1343, Lab 704, 606, Lib Dem 561, Green 542, Lib Dem 443). C hold. Swing 3.3% Lab to C.

PA