Lib Dems win again

11.11.26pm GMT 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.