Over the last few weeks several of us from Bath and NESomerset have been helping at a by-election in Bristol. Labour are in trouble in Bristol and the Conservatives as elsewhere have policies and campaigns that are as substantial as a sub-prime mortgage. Added to which the Conservatives have been propping up Labour for two years now in Bristol.

At the Council House in Bristol tonight, it was declared that Liberal Democrat Tony Potter pulled off a stunning victory in St George West, after a hard fought campaign on local issues.

In his acceptance speech, Tony Potter declared that: “no longer will St George West be the backwater of Bristol.”

Barbara Janke said: “Tony Potter is an excellent local candidate who has already worked hard for the people of St George for very many years. He will be a hard working councillor that people have voted for and need.

“This is a wonderful result. We’re delighted that the people of St George West have agreed with our positive message of change. Once again, it has been shown that the Tories are going backwards in Bristol, and that the Liberal Democrats are the only alternative to the failed Labour administration. This is the first step to a majority next May.”

Final result:
Tony Potter (Liberal Democrat): 923
Labour: 816
Conservative: 509
Independent: 257
Green: 116
English Democrat: 93

This was one of the most intense elections fought by the 3 main parties ever in Bristol – each new what was at stake – and we won. Not only that the Conservatives slumped from a stong second position in May 08 to a distant third.

May 07              Oct 08

Lab 38%            Lab 30%

Con 36%            Con 19%

LD  25%             LD 34%

Well done to Tony and the team.