MP-turned-councillor John Pugh

Excellent news from a council byelection here in the North West – with  a Lib Dem gain from the Conservatives for Dukes ward on Sefton council.

Our new councillor, John Pugh, was MP for Southport up until the snap election in June when he stood down after 16 years in Parliament.  He took the seat with a huge increase in Lib Dem support – up 10% on last May which was in turn up 18% on the result in 2015.

Lib Dem (John Pugh) 1,680  55.9%
Conservative                    790  26.3%
Labour                               417  13.8%
UKIP                                    69    2.3%
Green                                   45     1.5%

Along with similar gains from the Tories in the SW along with scandals, resignations and division in the government at the moment, this makes the political situation quite interesting right now!