Local Liberal Democrats are celebrating after Hale End and Highams Park FOCUS team members Nick Bason and Jane Morgan were elected to Waltham Forest Council

In a remarkable by-election victory, the Liberal Democrat Focus team candidates Jane Morgan and Nick Bason polled 1298 and 1295 votes respectively to beat off the challenge of the Conservative candidates (1223 and 1155 votes). 

The by-election was called after the sad death of Cllr John Beanse and the resignation due to ill health of Cllr Noel Penstone.

The Lib Dems were protecting a lead of less than 4% over the Conservatives in a ward represented by former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith.  The Lib Dems are still the only party with councillors in all three of the borough’s parliamentary constituencies.

Speaking at the count, new Hale End and Highams Park councillor Nick Bason said:

“We would like to thank all those residents from all sides of the political spectrum who gave us their support today on the basis of the hard work put into the ward by the Liberal Democrat FOCUS team over a long period of time.”

Jane Morgan added:

“We campaigned on our record of action and accountability to residents.  It is these principles that we will continue to stand by as the new council team for the ward.

“Local people know they can trust the Lib Dem team to produce action and not just words.”

Local Liberal Democrat leader Cllr John Macklin hailed the result as “absolutely fantastic”.

He continued:

“This victory over the Tories is made all the more special when taking into consideration the high-profile slur campaign run against the Lib Dems in the ward and the negative campaigning tactics which we were the victim of.

“The result just goes to show that our commitment to year round hard work and accountability is ultimately rewarded and appreciated by the electorate.        

“It is simply not good enough to just turn up when there is an election on and sling mud at the other parties.  Voters are not fooled by these tactics.”
          
The Liberal Democrats have won four of the five Waltham Forest by-elections called during 2008, increasing their representation on the Council to 20 seats.

FULL RESULT

JANE MORGAN (LIB DEM)  1298
NICK BASON (LIB DEM)  1295
Conservatives   1223
Conservatives   1155
Labour    264
Labour    241
Green     142