Two narrow misses in the latest council by-elections boosted Labour's hopes of a revival in its electoral prospects. At Stanley, Blackpool Council, Conservatives saw their margin slashed to just 46 on a 16.7% net swing since the 2007 main polls. A 3.2% switch to Labour at Gaywood Chase, King's Lynn and West Norfolk BC cut the majority to eight votes. Tories lost in a Green Party landslide at Hertford, Scarborough BC. However at West Lindsey DC, Jackie Brockway – originally returned as a Liberal Democrat – forced a by-election and easily defended her Saxilby seat, this time fighting as a Tory. A Liberal Democrat vote surge saw them snatch independent seats at Hucknall Central, Ashfield DC and Mitcheldean and Drybrook, Forest of Dean DC but these were balanced by losses at Streonshalh, Scarborough BC and Holsworthy,Torridge DC.
