Tories hold ward in Reigate

Only one by-election to report this week.

The Conservatives held Earlswood and Whitebushes in Reigate and Banstead.

Our vote was down 13%, however, to 38%. Lab was unchanged on 16%, the LDs were up 6% to 30%, UKIP were up 3% to 12% and BNP were on 4% from nothing.

I want to be cautious in interpreting all by-election results. Without knowing the local circumstances we always have to remember that such is our current dominance in local government that we are often defending high watermark gains and holding these landslide-period gains are often going to be the best we can hope for.

The next by-election will be held on 7th January.

Tim Montgomerie