LABOUR have won a seat from the Conservatives on Swindon Council after it was left vacant when a councillor resigned.

Stephanie Exell, who represented the Moredon ward, stood down in September in protest over the Tory council’s programme of cuts.

Jenny Millin, increased the Labour share of the vote by 13 per cent compared with May, on a much reduced poll, which saw turnout dip to just 23.7 per cent.

The voting was Jenny Millin (Lab) 887, Toby Elliott (Con) 755, William Oram (UKIP) 129 and Chris Ward (Lib Dem) 98 votes.

Jenny said: “The coalition Government failed their first test in Swindon. People in Moredon have sent a strong message to the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats that we will not accept savage public spending cuts which threaten jobs and growth in our town. Let’s not forget why we had this by-election in the first place. Even the previous Conservative councillor knew that the coalition’s irresponsible policies would hit the poorest hardest, and Labour will not let them get away with it.”

She is anxious to hear from residents of Moredon about issues and services which need to be improved and is looking forward to serving all the electors.

Jenny can be contacted on moredon.millin@gmail.com