FANT-astic win for Lib Dems in Maidstone by-election

12.14.47pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 2nd Oct 2009

The Lib Dems in Maidstone are celebrating the comfortable holding of Fant ward, with Lib Dem Fran Wilson retaining the seat with a majority of 309. Despite a hard fought campaign the support for other parties slumped, with the Labour vote more than halving from May 2007 when the seat was last fought.

Fran Wilson, Lib Dem group leader, said:

"This is a wonderful result and well deserved because I know Fran really cares about Fant and its residents and will work hard on their behalf."

Newly elected Lib Dem Councillor, Fran Smith, said:

"I want to thank everyone in Fant ward for their support. Nick Schnell has done a tremendous amount of work for local residents and I will do everything I can to continue that."

The full result (1st October 2009) was:

• Lib Dem 702

• Conservative 393

• Green 317

• Labour 102

Turnout 23.6%

In May 2007, the last time the seat was fought, the result in Fant was:

• Lib Dem 773

• Conservative 454

• Green 342

• Labour 245

Turnout 33.56%.