Labour takes Tory seat on Kirklees Council

Simon Alvy won the seat for Labour by just 159 votes over Sharon Light, wife of Conservative group leader Robert Light, who was contesting it for the Conservatives.

Labour group and council leader Mehboob Khan said: “This fantastic result in the Liversedge and Gomersal by-election is a tribute to the candidate, Simon Alvy, and the campaign team, which delivered a victory in a Tory stronghold.

“Labour locally ran a strong, positive campaign highlighting the achievements of the Labour run council, such as having the biggest jobs growth in Yorkshire, an increase in educational standards and improvements to public services.

“Local people were constantly telling us on the doorstep that they are fed up with Government’s arrogant approach and failed economic policies.”

The poll was held on Thursday but the votes were not counted until this morning.

It was called after Conservative councillor Margaret Bates resigned for health reasons.

Mr Light said: “I’m disappointed by the result because we had a great campaign.

“Labour won but having said that there was no great appetite for Labour out there and I think some Conservatives stayed at home.

“Council by-elections are always difficult because people don’t always see the importance of them. People also want to see more things happening from the Government and the national scene probably had an effect.”

The result means Labour now holds 33 seats on Kirklees Council although still short of an outright majority.

The Conservatives are down to 17 seats while the Liberal Democrats, who came third in the by-election polling 599 votes, are on 10 with the remained held by Greens and Independents.