Lib Dems win by-election by narrowest of margins (From This Is Local London)

Lib Dems win Kingston by-election by narrowest of margins

12:30am Friday 6th July 2012 in News By

New councillor Rebekah Moll (centre) with Lib Dem deputy leader Liz Green and leader Derek Osbourne

The Liberal Democrats have held the Grove ward by-election by the narrowest of margins - against a backdrop of a very low turnout.

Rebekah Moll defeated her closest rival Conservative barrister Adrian Amer by just 23 votes after a dramatic recount after midnight.

But only 25.7 percent of the electorate bothered to vote.

The new Lib Dem councillor said: "It feels great. After the recount it is always exciting and makes the high more dramatic I think."

Conservative Adrian Amer, who came close to breaking the Liberal Democrat's stranglehold on the ward, said: "I feel elated. Very encouraging. A positive result and I am proud of the result."

"I am happy with what we achieved. I am grateful for all those that voted for me."

Labour's Laurie South, whose share of the vote increased as he tried win a seat back on the council for his party, said: "On the doorstep a lot of people were saying we are fed up with this but we don't want a Tory and don't know what to do.

"We need real debate not vacuous throwing around of slang."

Last time, in 2010, the Liberal Democrats had a majority of more than 500 votes.

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Zac Goldsmith, Conservative MP for Richmond Park and north Kingston tweeted to congratulate his colleagues.

He said: "It is an enormous victory. You've turned a rock solid Lib Dem seat - in the Lib Dem heartland - into a razor's edge marginal."

Adrian Amer (Conservative) - 687 votes

David Child (British National Party) - 23 votes

Ryan Coley (Green Party) - 123 votes

Rebekah Moll (Liberal Democrats) - 710 votes

Jonathan Rudd (Christian People's Alliance) - 20 votes

Laurie South (Labour) - 440 votes

Michael Watson (UK Independence Party) - 56 votes