Easy win for Labour - but UKIP beat the rest
Date published: 10 May 2013
Victorious: Zahid Mehmood Chauhan (front, second left) pictured with (fom the left) councillors Fida Hussain, Jenny Harrison, Labour leader Jim McMahon and Shoab Akhtar and other supporters
LABOUR cruised to victory in last night’s by-election — holding on to Alexandra Ward by more than 1,100 votes.
But UKIP’s national surge was repeated to push the party into second place, ahead of the Liberal Democrat, Conservative and Green parties.
The by-election followed the death of Councillor Dilys Fletcher in February, who took the seat for Labour in May 2012 with a 274 majority. Dr Zahid Chauhan increased that to 1,141 yesterday, taking 1,553 votes.
UKIP’s Derek Fletcher trailed well behind with 412 votes, ahead of Kevin Dawson on 96 for the Lib Dems, Tory Neil Allsopp with 80 and Miranda Meadowcroft, who polled 55 for the Greens.
Councillor Chauhan said: “I am humbled and pleased with the trust placed on my shoulders, and really thankful to all the voters.
“We fought this election on the bedroom tax and people have sent a very clear message to the Conservative and Lib-Dem coalition that we do not trust you.”
Council leader Jim McMahon said: “It was the bedroom tax that did it! The number of people affected by it is staggering and I have heard some horrendous stories.
“We also had an excellent candidate. Dr Chauhan is a professional person who brings some fantastic skills to the council.”
The turnout was 29.31 per cent, compared with 32.4 per cent for the seat in the local council elections in May, 2012.
The line up of the council is now Labour 44, Liberal Democrat 14 and Conservative 2.
