LIB DEMS CELEBRATE "DECISIVE" NEWQUAY WIN

11.46.00pm GMT Thu 12th Nov 2009

Liberal Democrats win key election in Newquay

Liberal Democrats are celebrating after winning the Newquay South by-election with over 56% of the vote in a straight contest with the Conservatives for a seat on the town council.

The election, which one local paper called a "decisive" contest ahead of a General Election expected next May, saw a large swing toward the Liberal Democrats and away from the Conservatives.

Newly elected Lib Dem Councillor Sandy Carter won 444 votes to beat Conservative Rose Knowlson's 346 on a 20% total turn-out of the ward which covers about a quarter of Newquay.

Since the area was last contested in June this year there has been a large swing away from the Conservatives and to the Liberal Democrats.

Councillor Sandy Carter said, "I'm privileged to have the chance to represent the people of Newquay on the town council and want to thank everybody who voted for me. The work starts immediately to tackle the concerns that people raised on the doorsteps."

Hamish McCallum, the Lib Dem campaign manager in St Austell & Newquay, said, "This summer the Conservatives have shown how out of touch they are with the issues in the town and now with less than six-months to go to the General Election people in Newquay are turning to the Liberal Democrats."

Newquay's Prospective MP, Steve Gilbert, said, "Sandy will be a hard-working Councillor and I look forward to campaigning with him on getting a fair deal for Newquay."