The Liberal Democrats have successfully defended their Nethermayne seat in a by-election in Basildon last night.
New Lib Dem candidate Philip Jenkins received 605 votes beating Labour candidate, David Kirkman, and Conservative candidate, Stephen Foster, into second and third respectively.
The UK Independence Party’s Kerry Smith secured fourth spot ahead of the British National Party's Irene Bateman and Independent candidate Jason Richardson.
The by-election was called after long-serving Lib Dem councillor Ben Williams stood down following his acceptance of a role to become a special adviser to the Government’s Deputy Chief Whip.
Result
Philip Jenkins – Liberal Democrats – 605 votes
David Kirkman – The Labour Party – 461 votes
Stephen Foster – The Conservative Party – 372 votes
Kerry Smith – UK Independence Party – 280 votes
Irene Bateman – British National Party – 70 votes
Jason Richardson – Independent – 18 votes
Turn out: 20%.