The Press Association reports:
Liberal Democrats gained from Tories in this week’s only reported council by-election amid signs of revival in some areas following the hacking scandal.
Candidate Michael Maxwell won Somerset County Council’s South Petherton division on a big swing.
It is covered by the Yeovil constituency of the party’s former Cabinet minister David Laws.
The result comes after it defied Labour at Warrington last week by winning in a marginal ward where it had lost another seat in May’s main contests.
This suggests that Lib Dems could be benefiting from their lack of high level links to the Murdoch empire.
RESULT
Somerset County – South Petherton: Lib Dem 1333, C 943, Green 108, Ukip 104. (June 2009 – C 1341, Lib Dem 1247, Ind 285, Green 222). Lib Dem gain from C. Swing 9.3% C to Lib Dem.
Congratulations Michael.
Follow @LibDemVoice on Twitter
Like us on Facebook
Subscribe to our feed
Sign-up for our daily email digest
Lib Dems set to name 7 new peers for House of Lords, says Sunday Times
Kingston Lib Dems' council leader Derek Osbourne arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children
Congratulations to Sir Andrew, Alison, Flick, Kirsty and Sir Menzies
How not to write for Liberal Democrat Voice
Opinion: Creating a new Alliance
Opinion: The best government team you’ve not heard of
Opinion: Creating a new Alliance
Michael Moore MP writes…Scotland has a role in overseas aid
A picture postcard from a Liberal Democrat in Gezi Park
Willie Rennie's latest e-newsletter: Courts, Pars, a fair deal for tenants and a day with health professionals
The Blood is The Life 20-06-2013
CQC, the bargain basement counting warehouse
Chessington World of Adventures - May 2000
In defence of Michael Gove
Sefton's Green Belt - Campaigners trying to save the Green Belt meet at Lydiate Village Centre
#EqualMarriage Opponents Have Undermined Their Own Case For Religious Freedom Protections
Fatal stabbing in Newbury - 41 year old man arrested
Community Spirit Action Group - walkabout
Nick Thornsby
Steve Griffiths
Carl Gardner
Graeme Cowie
Dan Falchikov
RC
4 Comments
I believe the lib dems also gained a seat in wales on thursday night from an indepednet candidate,
its shows how the party gcan pick appeal to people across all demagraphics, to win in warrington and yeovil, two very different areas with different demagraphics
The winner is described as Paul Maxwell on the ALDC website. Which is correct please?
Panic over (I hope). I cross checked with Somerset County Council Web site & our worthy winner is described as Paul Michael Maxwell.
The plot thickens! The runner up Tory got up to some mischeif in his grieving!
http://abriefhistoryofliberty.tumblr.com/post/8554161362/18-year-old-tory-beaten-by-lib-dem-in-by-election