Labour delight at by-election poll victory

Oct 18 2008 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

LABOUR activists are celebrating after becoming the joint biggest party on Kirklees Council.

The party won Thursday’s Dewsbury East by-election – the count was held yesterday – joining the Conservatives on 22 seats.

The vote was caused by the resignation of former BNP councillor Colin Auty.

Labour’s Cathy Scott won with 1,513 votes, followed by Lib Dem Dennis Hullock on 1,405.

Joe Barber of the BNP came a distant third on 690, with Conservative Amelia Bolton getting 345 votes.

Adrian Cruden of the Greens won 58 votes while independent candidate Safiq Patel had 17.

Independent Alan Girvan, who was supported by Mr Auty, gained just 15.

The result was announced at Dewsbury Town Hall just before lunchtime yesterday.