Lib Dems win again

11.11.26pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 2nd Dec 2004

Ann Buckley scored an amazing triumph by winning the Battins and Bondfields ward of Hampshire County Council on December 2nd.

The by-election was caused by the death of Labour's group leader and was one of Labour's safest seats in the County. But the Liberal Democrats won the seat with a stunning 33.5% swing.

The full result (with % change since 2001) was:

Ann Buckley (Liberal Democrat) 978 (56.5% +36.1)

Anne Edwards (Labour) 433 (25.0% -31.0)

Jane Rayner (Conservative) 285 (16.5% -7.0)

Kevin Jacks (Green) 33 (1.9%)

Adrian Collett, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Hampshire County Council paid tribute to Ann's hard work and positive campaign on local issues.

"There have now been three by-elections to Hampshire County Council since 2001 and the Liberal Democrats have won every one of them - in areas as diverse as Basingstoke, the New Forest and now Havant. It's a humiliating result for Labour but puts the Conservatives on notice that the Lib Dems will be challenging to win Hampshire County Council next May," said Adrian.