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.



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