Tories defend stronghold in latest council by-election

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Local Government

Tories easily defended a stronghold seat in the only council by-election reported today.

They held Lower Sheering, Epping Forest, Essex - where they already had more than three quarters of the votes - with a small further swing in their favour.

The result is a relief to Conservatives who last month saw their majority slashed in another district by-election at Grange Hill on a switch of more than 30% to Lib Dems.

It may be significant that the ward involved in that contest was in the Tories' safe Epping Forest constituency while Lower Sheering is in ultra-marginal Labour Harlow - although that party failed to field a candidate in the by-election.

RESULTS:

Epping Forest District - Lower Sheering: C 302, Lib Dem 93. (May 2007 - C 409, Lib Dem 131). C hold. Swing 0.8% Lib Dem to C.