Lib Dems in record results

10.00.00pm GMT Mon 21st Dec 2009

Liberal Democrats in the Forest of Dean have achieved record local election results 1in 2009 which mean the next General Election here could be too close to call.

In Mitcheldean & Drybrook, Lib Dem Sue Henchley won a local by-election held following the sad death of George Read MBE. She secured over 55% of the vote.

The Tories finished third with 17% and Labour a disastrous fourth with just 7%. In the Coleford East by-election, Lib Dem Heather Lusty finished second, just 37 votes behind the winning Independent Party candidate. The Tories, who lost the seat, came third and Labour again finished fourth.

These results followed the European election where the Lib Dems beat Labour and Graham Watson was elected locally.

Chris Coleman said; "These results show that the General Election will be close here in the Forest of Dean. The Labour Government have let down this area and local people are turning to the Liberal Democrats for real change."