LIB DEMS STORM TO VICTORY IN ASHFIELD BY-ELECTION

12.06.36am GMT Fri 2nd Nov 2007

The Liberal Democrats have stormed to victory in the Sutton West by-election tonight.

Labour finished a distant 2nd in a seat that was Labour for many years until 2003, whilst the Independents who were defending the seat finished a very poor 4th.

The new Liberal Democrat Councillor for Sutton West Fiona Asbury said "This is a fantastic result. The people of Sutton West have supported the Liberal Democrats because they liked our strong campaigning on local issues, like saving the Huthwaite Road Post Office from Labour's axe.

"This was also a strong vote of confidence locally in the new Liberal Democrat led council. People said they appreciated our improvements to the area, like reopening the Huthwaite toilets. Many people told me what a refreshing change the new council leadership is compared to the stale neglect of our area under the last Labour administration."

Tonight's result was a humiliating verdict on the Ashfield Independents. The decision of the Independents to form an alliance with the Conservatives clearly cost them dearly.

Regional campaign manager Cllr Stuart Bray said "This result shows why Gordon Brown bottled calling a general election on November 1st. This election victory for the Liberal Democrats in Labour's heartlands shows that if Brown had called an election Geoff Hoon would have been joining the dole queue tomorrow and Jason Zadrozny would be the new Liberal Democrat MP for Ashfield."

Result in Full

Fiona Asbury (Lib Dem) 873

Labour 560

BNP 321

Conservative 257

Green 72

Independent 275

LIB DEM GAIN FROM INDEPENDENT

Turnout 26.5%