Tom Simon wins Belsize for the Lib Dems

10.28.25am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 10th Apr 2009

Tom Simon celebrates winning the Belsize by-election

The Liberal Democrats have pulled off a stunning by-election win in the Belsize Ward.

Tom Simon (Lib Dem) 1136

Conservative 952

Labour 270

Green 109

Majority 184

The scale of the result means the Lib Dems increased their majority, share of the vote and number of people voting for them - even when turnout fell by 10%.

The Tories had let it be known that they had been caught unawares when Alexis Rowell and Arthur Graves captured the seat in 2006. They fought a strong campaign this time - but it resulted in a worse result.

"Tom Simon is going to be a strong councillor," explained Ed Fordham, the Lib Dem parliamentary spokesperson for Hampstead & Kilburn. "He has long-established local roots, a history of being involved with local groups like the Belsize Residents Association and the Safer Neighbourhood Team, and an impressive background in legal advocacy of disadvantaged people and groups."

Tom Simon added "This result shows that it will be the Liberal Democrats as the main challengers to Labour at the next General Election. The new seat of Hampstead and Kilburn has made the electoral arithmetic very difficult for the Conservatives - and if they are falling back in places like Belsize - they have no chance in the new areas in the seat where they have no history of activity."