Express & Star

Tories win Walsall Council by-election with UKIP in second place

The Conservatives were today celebrating after winning the Walsall Council by-election last night, beating Ukip into second place.

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Timothy Wilson retained the Aldridge Central and South seat for the Tories with 1,254 votes in the poll prompted by the death of popular veteran councillor Tom Ansell.

Liz Hazell won 615 votes to capture second place for Nigel Farage's eurosceptic party. Labour's Bob Grainger came third with 470 votes, Roy Sherward for the Lib Dems was fourth with 114 votes and the English Democrats' candidate Chris Newey polled 72. Turnout was 23 per cent.

Council leader Mike Bird, of the majority ruling Conservative party, welcomed the result but admitted Ukip's showing was a concern. It follows a strong performance by Ukip in May's local elections.

He said: "This should send a strong message to the Government that Ukip has established itself as a strong second party."

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