Another London Win

3.35.19pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 14th Sep 2007

For the second time in a week, south London Liberal Democrats are celebrating another council by-election victory.

Pete Patterson is the new Lib Dem councillor for Whitefoot, Lewisham. He did this despite a strong challenge from Labour, who were desperate to snatch this ward as it would have given them a majority on the council. The Lib Dems remain the main opposition group on Lewisham council. Such a strong showing puts the Lib Dems in a good position to succeed in the aim to win the constituency of Lewisham East at the next general election.

In another London by-election on the same night - this time in Brent - the Lib Dems lea pt from a distant third to a strong second in the safe Labour ward of Stoneleigh. Sandra Wiltshire almost trebled their share of the vote. The Tory and Green votes both collapsed - the Tories finishing 4th, behind Respect. The Lib Dems remain the largest group on Brent council and such a strong showing in a supposedly Labour area is encouraging news for the local Lib Dem MP, Sarah Teather MP, who will be standing again at the next general election.

Full results:

Lewisham council, Whitefoot ward:

Lib Dems 986 (37%)

Labour 901 (34%)

Tories 536 (20%)

Others 236

Brent council, Stoneleigh ward:

Labour 1,432 (52%)

Lib Dems 864 (31%)

Respect 237 (9%)

Tories 177 (6%)

Greens 51 (2%)