Three party politics in Heston

12.00.00am GMT Tue 30th Nov 2004

The results of the Heston East by-election on Thursday 25 November, as well as September's by-election in Heston West make it clear that the Liberal Democrats, and three party politics, are now established in Heston.

In both by-elections Labour support collapsed and the Tories were capped. In Heston West the Liberal Democrats overtook the Tories to take second place. In Heston West the Liberal Democrats received 32% and in Heston East 26% of the vote.

Labour must be very disappointed with these results; the actual number of votes cast for them in both wards has halved since 2002; their share of votes cast has dropped in Heston West from 71% to 41% and in Heston East from 56% to 43%.

The Conservatives broadly maintained their share of the vote in both wards. Heston East remaining a stronger ward for them.

The Liberal Democrats also made a significant advance over the London Assembly elections in June 2004. In those elections, in Heston West and East, the Lib Dems only received around 13% of the votes cast.

Shahzad Akhtar, Liberal Democrat Heston East by-election candidate, said:

"Judging by the results I am convinced that we are the only party with potential to grow in Heston. Both Labour and the Tories have peaked. To both parties, I say - Watch out, the Lib Dems are here to win!"

Satnam Kaur Khalsa, Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Feltham & Heston, added:

"With these excellent results I am looking forward eagerly to the General Election next year."