Lib Dems take Calne Council seat winning from third place

11.59.00am GMT Fri 1st Feb 2008

Glenis Ansell (centre) and her campaign team celebrate another win in North Wiltshire

Glenis Ansell stormed to victory in the Calne Council Lickhill by-election winning 278 votes (35%).

Glenis jumped to victory from third place leaping over both the Conservatives and UKIP.

The result was another blow to both the other Parties who have also seen local Calne Councillors defect recently.

The Conservatives won the ward last May but saw their vote share drop by 8%.

UKIP did even worse. Their newly adopted Parliamentary Candidate who fought Lickhill last May saw her vote share almost halved dropping by 15%.

"I'm delighted to win. I look forward to representing Lickhill and to joining a growing Liberal Democrat Council Group in Calne. January is a tough time for an election. My campaign team were fantastic. Our actual vote was even up on the sunny days of May!" said Glenis.

Calne Council now has 7 Lib Dem Councillors, 7 Conservatives, 3 UKIP and 2 Independents.

Lib Dem winter election wins are becoming a habit in North Wiltshire. Glenis' stunning victory follows Jenny Stratton's gain from the Conservatives on Wootton Bassett Council last November.