Labour makes only gain in latest council by-elections

Labour made the only gain in the latest council by-elections and was snapping at Tories' heels in the projected vote shares.

Candidate Nigel Dix took an independent seat at Blackwood, Caerphilly County Borough, South Wales.

Analysis of five comparable results leaves the Tories with a 1.9% projected nationwide lead over Labour, compared with 7.3% in May's General Election.

However a calculation based on four wards fought both times by all three major parties gives Labour a 0.1% margin.

The projected figures are: Lab 35.0%, C 34.9%, Lib Dem 23.1%.

This is a relief for the Liberal Democrats as they are only 0.5% down on their May 6 share.

They were boosted by an increase in their vote at Cockerton West, Darlington Borough - with a squeeze on their Conservative coalition partners - despite suggestions of defections by their supporters to Labour.

The Lib Dems were however disappointed to have come third behind Tories at Chadwell, Redbridge Borough, north east London, where they had hoped for a gain.

Labour held on in the contest caused when it was found that the successful candidate in the main elections worked for the council as a teacher.

In nearby Barking and Dagenham, a comeback bid by the BNP's Richard Barnbrook failed at Goresbrook.

Mr Barnbrook, also a London Assembly member, had been swept off the borough council in May with his party colleagues as Labour won every seat.

In similar circumstances to the Redbridge contest, a fresh poll was forced when Louise Couling was found to be working for the authority as a crossing lollipop lady.

She quit the post to enable her to stand again.

At St Peters and North Laine, Brighton and Hove, the Green Party easily held on after Keith Taylor quit to take over the European Parliament seat of Caroline Lucas, General Election winner in the city's Pavilion constituency.

RESULTS:

Barking and Dagenham London Borough - Goresbrook: Lab 881, BNP 642, Lib Dem 136, C 108, Ind 63, Ukip 50, Ind 11. (May 2010 - Three seats Lab 2142, 1963, 1872, BNP 1340, 1146, 1128, C 694, 533, Lib Dem 457, 347, Ind 335). Lab hold. Swing 2.3% Lab to BNP.

Blaenau Gwent County Borough - Tredegar Central and West: Lab 797, Ind 334. (May 2008 - Four seats Lab 808, 740, 712, 691, Plaid Cymru 587, Blaenau Gwent People's Voice 544, Lib Dem 539, Blaenau Gwent People's Voice 516). Lab hold.

Brighton and Hove City - St Peters and North Laine: Green 1816, Lab 880, C 365, Lib Dem 103, Ind 32. (May 2007 - Three seats Green 2303, 2112, 2099, Lab 979, 921, 883, C 505, 499, 444, Lib Dem 371, 310, Ind 286, Lib Dem 285). Green hold. Swing 0.1% Green to Lab.

Caerphilly County Borough - Blackwood: Lab 545, Ind 469, Plaid Cymru 355, C 170. (May 2008 - Three seats Ind 1794, 962, 817, Lab 700, 681, 513, Plaid Cymru 505, 504, C 219, 212, 197). Lab gain from Ind. Swing 3.6% Plaid Cymru to Lab.

Darlington Borough - Cockerton West: Lab 388, Lib Dem 347, C 84, BNP 41. (May 2007 - Two seats Lab 515, 470, C 308, Lib Dem 263, BNP 167). Lab hold. Swing 6.9% Lab to Lib Dem.

Redbridge London Borough - Chadwell: Lab 800, C 580, Lib Dem 576, Green 413, BNP 115, Ukip 54. (May 2010 - Three seats Lab 1949, 1804, 1724, Lib Dem 1638, 1637, C 1472, Lib Dem 1412, C 1327, 1323, Green 897, 571, Ukip 482, Green 398). Lab hold. Swing 0.4% C to Lab.