Two gains for the Liberal Democrats this week:

Kevin Moore has been elected in Hucknall Central, Ashfield District Council.

From the Ashfield Lib Dems website:

Ashfield’s Liberal Democrats remain the biggest group on the District Council with 13 seats.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Jason Zadrozny says, “This once again shows the Liberal Democrats are the clear challengers to Labour in Ashfield. In election after election right across the District, local residents are picking Liberal Democrat candidates over Labour every time. In June’s County elections the Lib Dems made 4 gains from Labour and now we have bagged the Hucknall Central District seat as well.

“This sends a clear message that local people are fed up with Labour and they like the alternative that the Liberal Democrats provide. Many people have told us on the doorsteps how furious they are that Labour have been allowed to lead Ashfield District Council thanks to a shabby deal with the Independents and Conservatives. Ashfield people have once again showed their disapproval with the arrangement and my group will be moving a motion of no confidence in the Labour-led administration in order to try and force them out before they can make the swingeing cuts they are planning. Labour do not have the moral authority to run Ashfield and it’s time they and their Independent / Tory allies listened to local people, who have spoken loud and clear.”

Hucknall Central Result in full:-

Kevin Moore (Lib Dem) 463

Labour 392

Conservative 320

Independent 79

UKIP 181

And Sue Henchley was elected in Mitcheldean and Drybrook, Forest of Dean District Council.

From the Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors:

LD Sue Henchley 638 (55.1; +36.2)
Ind 239 (20.6; -18.2)
Con 195 (16.8; -5.8)
Lab 86 (7.4; -12.1)
Majority 399
Turnout 32.4%
LD gain from Ind
Percentage change is since May 2007

In this week’s other by-elections, the Liberal Democrats lost a seat to the Conservatives on West Lindsey District Council and are up 3.6% (the Tories held) in Blackpool.