The Liberal Democrats snuffed out Labour's recovery hopes last month with four by-election gains, and also blocked Tory control bids in two authorities. Labour's worst defeat came at Redbridge LBC where the Lib Dems came from fifth place on a 26.4% swing. At Tewkesbury BC the Lib Dems also won in a ward they failed to fight.last time and in Labour marginals to Maidstone BC and Newcastle City Council. The Lib Dems' triumphs at Maidstone and Tewkesbury thwarted Tory hopes of gains in the two wards which would have given them overall control. However the Conservatives kept their overall majority at Shropshire CC where they defended a marginal seat. Labour's one consolation was a gain from the Tories on Hyndburn BC. David Cameron's party also lost to the Lib Dems at Havant BC but three weeks later gained a seat to the council. They also won from the Lib Dems at Stratford-on-Avon DC and West Wiltshire DC. So far this year the Tories have made 17 net gains in by-elections, the Lib Dems 12 and Labour has lost four overall.
