Liberal Democrats celebrate superb success in Spixworth

4.50.14pm GMT Mon 23rd Jan 2006

The Liberal Democrats have tonight won a key by-election in Spixworth with St Faiths Ward of Broadland District Council.

The result was [previous result and change in share of vote bracketed]:

Bali Kular, Liberal Democrat: 65.8% [52.1%, +13.7]

Mark Fiddy, Conservative: 34.2% [47.9%, -13.7]

Turnout: 31.4%

This was the first contested seat in Broadland since May's General Election. It is within the boundary of the new Broadland Parliamentary Constituency, which is widely expected to be a tight Lib Dem / Conservative battle at the next General Election.

"This result shows that the Liberal Democrats are preparing for even greater success in Norfolk at the next General Election," says North Norfolk Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb.

Bali Kular, an engineer, stood for the ward when it was last contested in 2004 for the Liberal Democrats: "I am very proud to have been elected to serve the area, and I would like to thank everyone who supported me. I promise to do my very best for local people."

As in 2004, Labour failed to put up a candidate.