MASSIVE VICTORY FOR LIB DEMS IN CITY COUNCIL BY-ELECTION

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 26th Sep 2008

Liberal Democrat candidate Joe Taylor today has won a resounding victory in Thursday's Truro City Council by-election.

Mr Taylor, from Truro, won 612 votes to Conservative Jacqui Butler's 388.

John Flower (Mebyon Kernow) came third with 151 votes, and Jennifer Louise Forbes (Labour) finished fourth with 107.

Mr Taylor said the victory swept aside recent claims that the Lib Dems were destined to suffer at the polls in the unitary council elections next year.

He said: "This was an important victory for the Lib Dems in Cornwall, because it showed that we are still the party most closely in touch with local people.

"My campaign focused on the priorities of people who live in Truro, such as overdevelopment, crime, parking and recycling - rather than trying to attack the other parties or candidates."

"I am delighted that local people responded so overwhelmingly to the campaign, and I am now keen to repay their trust by doing a good job as a City councillor."

Mr Taylor, aged 32, lives in Pendeen Road, Truro, with his fiancee Tamsin and their dog Jack. He is a former freelance journalist, and helped to set up Freedom Surf, a Cornish-based project which provides opportunities for disabled people to go surfing.

Commenting on Joe's victory, Truro MP Matthew Taylor said: "Joe is a hard-working local man who wants to protect Truro from over-development and promote more open spaces. He understands the important issues facing people in Truro and will be a champion for local residents."

Terrye Teverson, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Truro and Falmouth said: "This just goes to show that it is still the Liberal Democrats who are standing up for local people in Truro and the rest of Cornwall. People in our county value hard work and real dedication to local issues and Joe was the candidate who connected with the voters in these areas."

For more information contact Sarah Barter 01872 242493