Welcome for election boost

10.38.00pm GMT Tue 5th Dec 2006

LIBERAL Democrats in Mid Suffolk have welcomed the party's election winning performance in council by-elections held in November.

At a meeting of members where campaign plans for next May's local elections were stepped up a gear, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman Andrew Houseley, said the results showed that Labour had everything to fear from a Lib Dem challenge.

"The Liberal Democrats ended November with the most gains,"said Mr Houseley. "The Conservatives made no gains at all from Labour in November whilst the Liberal Democrats gained 4 from them.

"Here in Mid Suffolk, Liberal Democrat local by-election gains have wiped out the Conservatives' majority, forcing them to rely on the patronage of councillors who sit as Independents."

"David Cameron has been Conservative Leader for a year but he is failing to make any great impact. By-election results are real votes in real ballot boxes and the Conservatives have to ask themselves why it is the Liberal Democrats and not themselves who are making the inroads into Labour held seats.

"The results also show that voters have not been fooled by Cameron's spin and lack of substance. People don't believe Conservative claims to be committed to the environment as anything other than a cynical attempt to create a different image for themselves.

"Their campaign against NHS cuts is unbelievable, given that Conservative MPs voted against the national insurance increase in 2002 that has boosted NHS spending to its current level. The NHS would be almost £10 billion worse off this year (or more than £1 million an hour) if the Tories had had their way!

"The Conservatives however, failed to pick up any seats at all from Labour. It is the Liberal Democrats who are challenging Labour and winning.

"David Cameron's platitudes and spin have failed to win them former Labour voters who are turning to the Liberal Democrats instead."

The net changes in seats contested in the November by-elections were:

Liberal Democrats +6

Conservatives +4

Labour -3

Independents/other -7