Tory By-election shock #2

6.07.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 16th Sep 2007

A second Conservative council seat in the East of England has fallen to the Liberal Democrats in the space of 3 weeks.

Andrew Houseley hailed the success of Chelmsford Borough Liberal Democrats in the Broomfield & The Walthams Ward, in a campaign where he turned up twice to help. The victory was decisive delivering a massive swing. This success follows hard on the heels of the Suffolk County Council victory in Thedwastre South on 23rd August.

The full result on Tuesday 11th September was:

Lib Dems Malcolm Taylor 1198 (56.3% +38.1)

Tories 742 (34.9% -20.8)

Labour 76 (3.6% -4.2)

UKIP 57 (2.7% - 5.7)

Greens 53 (2.5% -7.4)

Majority 456 Turnout 35%

Andrew Houseley commented: "Local Tories were exposed for their blanket policy for new homes and roads without considering the local environment and local opinion. Lib Dems in contrast conducted a residents survey on the issue, after a summer campaign on the NHS. They followed these up with several campaigning leaflets and lots more contact with residents. People always respond to Liberal Democrats when we prove that we understand local issues, listen and engage with people and fight for them.

"Nationally, the Tories are in trouble. Their leader is being found out on a range of issues and on his dictatorial leadership style. His lack of substance is in sharp contrast to Liberal Democrats, who take care to develop their policies rather than scrapping them and starting again, and always uphold their strong and long-held principles.

"All I can say to UKIP and the Greens in this and in so many other elections, is 'Nice of you to turn up - that's democracy.' And to Labour - 'No sign of the Brown bounce here!' "