By-election victory for Tories

Updated 20.44 Fri Sep 28 2007

Keywords: David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Liberal Democrats, Labour, Conservatives

The Conservative Party has snatched a Sunderland seat from Labour in the latest council by-elections.

The loss will send a grim warning to the Prime Minister as he ponders whether to call a General Election.

At Sunderland Tory Angela Cuthbert gained a Washington East seat on a 3.7 per cent swing

With all nine results in from Thursday's contests, the Tories have won back a projected 4.6 per cent nationwide lead compared with last week's 1.4 per cent deficit.

Labour gained from independent at Mansfield, Nottinghamshire and held six seats but on the basis of results at Portsmouth and Northamptonshire, Tories look on course for a sweeping parliamentary victory at Portsmouth North and a closer one at Corby in any early poll.

At Dover, the 5.5 per cent swing in a Kent County Council contest for Dover Town would be enough for Conservatives to take it. But the outcome in the district's Aylesham ward produced one of only two major swings to Labour.

And ahead of the Tory conference next week, David Cameron's battered morale received a further boost when his party successfully defended control of Cheshire County Council.

At Sunderland Tory Angela Cuthbert gained a Washington East seat on a 3.7 per cent swing.

Labour's John Smart won from the Mansfield Independent Forum at Lindhurst with Conservatives trailing in fourth place.

Tories leapt into second place at Portsmouth's Nelson ward - just 109 votes behind Labour.

There was no swing between the two major parties since May when Conservatives had a lead of more than 20 per cent in votes cast in the Portsmouth North constituency.

Analysis of 23 comparable results over September gives a 2.3 per cent Tory lead.

A calculation based on 17 contests fought both times by the three leading parties gives a line-up of: Tories 38.6 per cent. Labour 32.9 per cent, Lib Dems 21.5 per cent.