Shock poll result puts Lib Dems challengers to Labour

8.00.00am GMT Fri 23rd Jan 2004

The Liberal Democrats surged into second place increasing their vote by nearly 10% in yesterday's County Council by-election for Spencer Ward .

Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson for Northampton North Andrew Simpson said "This result shows that the Lib Dems are now hard on the heels of Labour in Northampton North with the Tories dropping to third place".

Andrew Simpson with Lib Dem candidate Tony Woods

"Labour called this by-election at the earliest possible moment following the death of their previous councillor, giving little time for campaigning over the Christmas period. Yet residents have responded by giving a massive boost to the Lib Dem support in the area".

The results saw the Lib Dems move up from a previous third place position to second just 58 votes short of taking this safe Labour seat:

Labour 524 39.2% (-4.3%)

Tony Woods (Lib Dem) 466 34.9% (+9.8%)

Conservative 347 26.0% (-5.4%)

Labour hold, Majority 58. Turnout 21.95%. Changes in the vote are from the Borough Council elections in May 2003.

"Labour pulled out all the stops to hold this seat and their slim win shows that it is now the Lib Dems challenging them in Northampton North, the Tories are out of the running".