Tories rattled as Lib Dems see vote rise in East Wickham

7.01.00am GMT Sat 24th Jan 2009

Grace Goodlad, the Liberal Democrat candidate scored a large swing to the party in the East Wickham by-election in Old Bexley & Sidcup on 22 January.

The result was: Con 798 (26.8; -5.2); BNP 790 (26.5; +12.4); Lab 700 (23.5; +1.5); LD Grace Goodlad 564 (18.9; +2.9);

English Democrats 128 (4.3; -4.9); [UKIP (0.0; -6.8)]. Majority 8. Turnout 36.9%'. Con hold. Percentage change is since May 2006.

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Duncan Borrowman said: "The result that Grace achieved was a strong testament to her solid hard work in the ward. Highlighting the pay rises that councillors gave themselves last year, while cutting services, especially to the elderly. Grace was the only candidate who said she would not take the pay rise. And promising to always listen and keep in touch."

The Conservatives have to wake up to the fact that people feel let down by the Tory Council, and cast a huge protest vote which nearly let the BNP in."

I support calls for all the sensible parties in Bexley to work together to ensure that they do not get a foothold in our area."

But we can only achieve this if we are seen to be working for local people, and not working for ourselves and to line our own pockets."