Tories grab by-election seat

THE Conservative Party has won a resounding victory in the Lewes District Council, Peacehaven North by-election.

Tory candidate John Best polled 450 votes, Barbara Powell (Labour) 293 and Sally Parsons (LibDem) 169. The turnout was only 16.3 per cent.

The result was a reversal of fortune for the LibDems who beat the Conservatives by one vote, 538 to 537, in 1999. The by-election was called after LibDem Stuart Murray stood down due to work commitments

Cllr Best, 58, of Keymer Avenue, said he planned to focus on environmental, housing and transport issues during his term.

He added: 'I wanted to put something back into the community. I am hoping this win will start a revival for Conservatives in the area. On the whole we have done well in local elections in the last few years, but not in Peacehaven, so this is quite good for us.

Cllr Best, a retired caterer, is married to Barbara. They have two grown-up children. He has never stood as a councillor before.

Peacehaven LibDem councillor Allan Byng attributed the Tory victory to the low turnout.

He said: 'We have a Government which was elected by only a minority of the population. What we have in Peacehaven is a reflection of the general lethargy about what Government and politicians are doing.

Labour agent Simon Burgess said voters were making a conscious shift away from the LibDems. Mr Burgess added: 'The LibDems must be feeling shocked. We all knew the turnout would be down for a council by-election but the different ways that affected each party was very marked.

Although Labour s vote dropped from 296 to 293 its share increased from 20 to 32 per cent proportionally.