Lib Dems Win Mile Cross By-Election

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 28th Jul 2006

The Liberal Democrats are celebrating a by-election win in Mile Cross ward. Carl Mayhew won the by-election called after the death of the previous councillor Vic Elvin.

Carl said:

"It is a real honour to be elected to represent the area I live in and care so much about. However, in many ways this feels like a bittersweet victory that's come about in tragic circumstances with the loss of a much loved local man.

"Vic was an outstanding representative for Mile Cross. I am thrilled to be asked to continue his work."

The full result of the Mile Cross by-election, with the percentage of the vote, was:

• Carl Mayhew, Liberal Democrat: 789 (46.1%)

• Susan Curran, Green: 115 (6.7%)

• Barbara James, Labour: 702 (41%)

• David Mackie, Conservative: 106 (6.2%)

The turnout was 24.4%.

The result keeps the make-up of Norwich City Council as 16 Labour councillors, 12 Lib Dems, nine Greens and two Tories.

The other two councillors for the ward are both Labour, including city council leader Steve Morphew.

Lib Dem leader Ian Couzens said:

"This result is a real blow to Labour, coming so soon after they have taken control of Norwich City Council. Their honeymoon period is already over and council leader Mr Morphew must be extremely concerned about this result in his own backyard."

A spokesperson for Norwich Liberal Democrats added that it was 'a terrible result for the Green Party - their vote was less than half what it was just three months ago. Many of their supporters already seem disillusioned with the new Red-Green alliance at City Hall'.