Huge swing from Tories to LibDems in first Shropshire by-election since General Election

12.16.05pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 8th Jul 2005

Liberal Democrats in Ludlow Constituency have bounced back with a landslide victory against the Conservatives with a 20.34% swing in the first council poll in Shropshire since the general election.

LibDem Dr Charles West stormed to victory with 637 votes (71.5%) in the Church Stretton North ward of South Shropshire District Council, finishing with a massive 449 vote majority over the Conservative, whose vote fell to 188 (21.1%). An independent came third with 66 votes (7.4%). Labour and the Greens did not stand.

The byelection turnout was a healthy 53% of voters, higher than some areas in the general election. The ward is part of Ludlow constituency, where LibDem Matthew Green narrowly lost to the Conservatives on May 5th. The result will be seen as a boost to LibDem prospects of winning the Parliamentary seat back at the next election.

Cllr Dr West said: "I am amazed and humbled by this victory and I am determined to serve residents to the best of my ability. I will do my utmost to ensure that Church Stretton is not passed over by decision makers at any level. The Liberal Democrats have a good record in leading the district council here efficiently and make a point of listening to people's concerns. They also have some popular and forward looking initiatives like increased recycling and affordable housing which the Conservatives refused to support.

"The Conservatives showed remarkably little interest in the locality and even got confused about the ward boundaries. Most of their campaign was based on criticism of the LibDems. There is a time and a place for criticism, but I think people are rather fed up of negative campaigning and innuendo."

Former MP Matthew Green said: "This huge swing is a tremendous boost for the Liberal Democrats in Shropshire and a notice of intent to the Tories - we are continuing to increase our support.

"Charles was an excellent candidate and with his detailed knowledge of local issues and instinctive desire to get the best for people, he will be a superb local councillor.

"It is clear residents were also dismayed at the incompetence of Conservatives on the County Council who are cutting maintenance of roads and footpaths with no reduction in council tax. The Conservatives need to draw the lesson that they must do better in the way they run councils in Shropshire. Traditional Conservative voters were either switching to support Charles West or stayed at home. The vicious infighting at national level over the leadership undoubtedly had a further impact.

"The result is also a vote of confidence in Heather Kidd and South Shropshire's Liberal Democrat councillors - as in other LibDem-led authorities, South Shropshire District has taken huge strides in recycling, affordable housing and efficient service delivery. Conservatives have done little other than stand in the way of these initiatives and are paying the price at the ballot box."

The seat was last fought in 2003, when LibDem Zigurds Kronbergs retained a seat in the ward with 471 votes, 122 ahead of the Tories' 349. The byelection was caused after he stood down to take a job abroad.