Ukip and Greens claim by-election wins against Tories

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

Ukip and the Green Party both hailed council by-election victories against Tories today.

Last night's triumphs come ahead of the result of the crucial Norwich North Commons contest where counting is under way.

Ukip's eastern regional organiser, Pete Reeve, scored a double win, taking Cambridgeshire County Council's Ramsey division in a poll delayed from last month by a candidate's death and winning a by-election for the Huntingdonshire District ward of the same name.

Mr Reeve had also been involved in running the party's Norwich North campaign as well as his own.

Meanwhile, the Greens' Alex Phillips came from a previous third place to win at Goldsmid, Brighton and Hove City, giving them parity with Labour as second largest party on the council.

The ward is in Hove constituency, which is next door to Brighton Pavilion - on paper the party's best prospect of returning an MP.

Caroline Lucas, national Green Party leader and parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion, said: "This is a spectacular win. It signals an unstoppable surge to elect the first Green MP at Westminster whenever Gordon decides to go to the country.

"With this result, we're on the threshold of taking Green politics to the heart of Westminster."

Commenting on Ukip's victories, party leader Nigel Farage said: "This is a great result and shows that Ukip can do very much more than just succeed in the European elections."

In a boost against the tide for Labour, candidate Colin Swindell snatched a Tory seat at Winster and South Darley, Derbyshire Dales District.

The Liberal Democrats regained a Wembley Central seat at north London's Brent Borough where a former party councillor had become independent.

Analysis of six comparable contests gives a projected nationwide Tory lead of just 5.1% - trimmed by the huge swing to Labour at Derbyshire Dales.

Counting takes place today at Dormanstown, Redcar and Cleveland Borough and the result is expected later.

RESULTS:

Brighton and Hove City - Goldsmid: Green 1456, C 1104, Lab 816, Lib Dem 280, Ukip 129. (May 2007 - Three seats C 1330, 1238, Lab 1231, 1201, C 1189, Lab 1098, Green 1010, 833, 760, Lib Dem 720, 609, 506, Brighton and Hove Ind 314, Ind 134, 114, Brighton and Hove Ind 109, Ind 73).
Green gain from C. Swing 9.1% C to Green.

Brent London Borough - Wembley Central: Lib Dem 1195, Lab 934, C 423, Ind 240, Green 100. (May 2006 - Three seats Lib Dem 1824, 1738, 1709, Lab 1619, 1443, 1420, C 480, 458, 383, Green 185). Lib Dem gain from Ind. Swing 1.1% Lab to Lib Dem.

Cambridgeshire County - Ramsey: Ukip 865, C 682, Lib Dem 308. Lab 53.
(May 2005 - C 1737, Lib Dem 1412, Lab 603). Ukip gain from C.

Derbyshire Dales District - Winster and South Darley: Lab 426, C 255.
(May 2007 - C 371, Lab 249, Lib Dem 220). Lab gain from C. Swing 19.9% C to Lab.

Huntingdonshire County - Ramsey: Ukip 753, C 569, Ind 303, Lib Dem 295.
(May 2008 - C 957, Lib Dem 563, Ukip 452, Lab 100(May 2008 - C 957, Lib Dem 563, Ukip 452, Lab 100; April 2 2009 by-election - C 626, Ukip 520, Lib Dem 432, Lab 67). Ukip gain from C. Swing 17% C to Ukip.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough - Dormanstown: Counting today. (May 2007 - Three seats Lab 858, 805, 758, Lib Dem 414, 412, 386, C 374; April 2 2009 by-election - Lib Dem 809, Lab 667, BNP 305, C 125.)

Stockport Borough - Reddish North: Lab 1218, C 403, Ukip 342, Lib Dem 303, BNP 195. (May 2008 - Lab 1341, C 699, BNP 402, Lib Dem 321). Lab hold. Swing 4.9% C to Lab.

Wellingborough Borough - Swanspool: C 548, Lab 361, Lib Dem 162, BNP 120. (May 2007 - Three seats C 873, 868, 815, Lab 696, 659, 653). C hold. Swing 1.8% Lab to C.

In the Redcar and Cleveland result, Lib Dem Eric Howden made the party's second gain from Labour at Dormanstown ward in nearly four months.

RESULT:

Redcar and Cleveland Borough - Dormanstown: Lib Dem 805, Lab 515, BNP 145, C 73. (May 2007 - Three seats Lab 858, 805, 758, Lib Dem 414, 412, 386, C 374; April 2 2009 by-election - Lib Dem 809, Lab 667, BNP 305, C 125.). Lib Dem gain from Lab. Swing 22.1% Lab to Lib Dem.