Lib Dems storm to victory in Melksham by election

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 29th Aug 2008

Duncan Hames and Jon Hubbard outside Melksham Town Hall

The Lib Dems were the victorious party in Thursday's by-election for the Melksham Spa ward of Melksham Town Council.

Jon Hubbard, the Lib Dem candidate, overturned a 9% Conservative majority to win with more than 50% of the vote. Labour were in a poor third place with just 8%.

Jon Hubbard commented "Since I started my work with the local Liberal Democrat FOCUS Team here in Melksham I have been overwhelmed by the response of local residents, and in last nights election the people of Melksham gave their verdict on what they want. Melksham wants local activists that work for the community, not just empty rhetoric designed to sound good but that achieves nothing.

"I am honoured that people have put their trust in me and I will continue to fight hard for the town on issues which really affect local people."

Commenting on the result, Liberal Democrat Prospective MP Duncan Hames commented "This is the fourth time in less than a year that local people have preferred the Liberal Democrats to the Conservatives in the new Chippenham constituency. My team and I will continue to work hard for local residents all year round."

All the signs are that at the next general election this area will prove to be a very close contest between the local Lib Dem, Duncan Hames, and the Conservative Party's Devon farmer.