Respect holds off Labour byelection challenge

The Respect coalition has narrowly defended a seat against a strong Labour challenge at a byelection in Tower Hamlets.

The group, founded by George Galloway, who is MP for the neighbouring Bethnal Green and Bow constituency, held on to its seat in the east London borough with its candidate Harun Miah defeating Labour's Michael Keith by a reduced majority of just 97 votes.

The election, which Respect pitched as a "vital test of Brown's leadership", saw a swing of 6.7% to Labour.

The ballot was called following the resignation of Respect's Shamim Ahmed Chowdhury.

In this week's only other reported contest, the Tories defended a Walton Ambleside seat at Surrey's Elmbridge borough, with a reduced margin of 58 votes over the Walton Society.

RESULTS: Elmbridge Borough - Walton Ambleside: Con 310, Walton Society 252, Lab 60, Ukip 33, Lib Dem 26. (May 2007 - Con 431, Walton Society 281, Lib Dem 94, Lab 90). Con hold. Swing 0.7% Con to Lab.

Tower Hamlets Borough - Shadwell: Respect 1512, Lab 1415, Con 476, Lib Dem 98. (May 2006 - Three seats Respect 1851, 1789, 1707, Lab 1287, 1141, 1054, C 723, 670, 605, Lib Dem 226). Respect hold. Swing 6.7% Respect to Lab.

Friday August 10, 2007

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/byelections/story/0,,2146130,00.html