Lib Dems make it a hat trick of wins from Labour in Redcar

Redcar Liberal Democrats completed a hat trick of sensational victories from Labour in less than twelve months when Eric Howden won the Dormanstown By Election held on Thursday 23^rd July.

The result was as follows:

Eric Howden LD 805 (52.3; +27.2)
Lab 515 (33.5; -18.6)
BNP 145 (9.4; +9.4)
Con 73 (4.7; -18.0)
Majority 290
Turnout 29.88%
LD gain from Lab

For the third time Labour has lost its overall majority on the Council. After each of the previous two by-elections Labour managed to persuade one of the Council’s seven independents to help them cling onto power.

Candidate Eric Howden said: "I am delighted we have won. It was an extremely professional campaign by the Lib Dems. I will do my best to repay the confidence they and the people of Dormanstown have placed in me."

Prospective MP for Redcar, Ian Swales, said: “This is a terrific result for the Liberal Democrats. It's clear that people have had enough of Labour both locally and nationally. This is yet another election showing that it's the Liberal Demorats who can beat Labour here.

“We had an excellent candidate in Eric Howden and I'm sure he will do a great job for the people of Dormanstown.”

Councillor Chris Abbott, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on the Council said: “The cock has crowed three times for Labour and it is time they got the message. In the two years they have been back in control of the Council they have destroyed all the good work the previous Lib Dem led Coalition had achieved.”

The composition of the Council is now:

Labour - 24

Liberal Democrats - 16

Conservative - 11

Independents supporting Labour - 4

Independents – 3

Vacancy - 1

In the town of Redcar Liberal Democrats now hold 10 of the 15 seats, to Labour’s 4 and the Tories 1.