Lib Dems Romp To Victory In Stunning By-election Result

9.24.00am GMT Mon 26th Jan 2009

Liberal Democrats, Irene Balls and Claudette Furminger romped home in the Bentswood by-elections to hold the seats left vacant by the death of popular Lib Dem councillor Trevor Fisher.

Despite the poor weather and dark evening, the turnout was nearly 35%.

Irene Balls, who won the Mid Sussex District council seat, said:

"This is a good result for the people of Bentswood. It shows that they are no longer prepared to put up with our Tory councils ignoring their views on the redevelopment of the Station Quarter and wasting our money. I will fight to hold them to account for the financial mess from the black sacks to wheelie bins saga, the Big Culture Show fiasco and the duff parking meters. My first battle will be over the threatened Tory stealth tax with 150% increases in car parking charges."

Claudette Furminger said:

" I am honoured to be elected to Haywards Heath Town Council to carry on the good work that Trevor started. With my Lib Dem colleague Councillor Charlotte Jones, we will fight hard for a fair deal for Bentswood. Fighting for better facilities for our young people will be my first priority."

For years they have had to suffer Labour councillors who do not stand up for their interests - regularly voting with the Tories who run the councils - even when it comes to voting against more funding for Citizen's Advice. I pledge to them that I will fight for a fair deal for Bentswood."

Serena Tierney, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman, added:

"This result shows that the Lib Dems are the only challengers to the Tories in Mid Sussex. On the doorsteps and in the polling booths people are turning to us because they can no longer trust the Tories to manage our money responsibly."