THE BALANCE of power on the Forest of Dean Council remains in favour of the Conservatives after two by-elections last week.

The Tories retained the Redmarley seat and Labour held Coleford East as the UK Independence Party (UKIP) failed to build on its gains in the county council elections earlier this year.

The Conservatives remain the largest party with 18 of the 48 seats, Labour now has 17, there are nine independents, two with the independent alliance and one each for the Liberal Democrats and UKIP.

Clayton Williams polled 332 votes for the Tories in Redmarley, a majority of 213 over UKIP's Alec Tritton. Labour's Andy Hewlett received 56 votes. The turn-out was 34.1 per cent.

The Conservatives were beaten into third place in Coleford East where the winner was Tanya Palmer who polled 289.

That was a majority of 62 over Alan Grant of UKIP who polled 227 while Conservative Harry Ives received 104. Liberal Democrat Heather Lusty received 80 votes and Independent Keith Aburrow polled 76 votes. The turn-out was 18.6 per cent.

Richard Leppington, UKIP county councillor for Blakeney and Bream denied the results were disappointing for the party.

He said: "We got nearly a third of the votes in Redmarley and almost a quarter in Coleford East where we also beat the Conservatives into third place.

"The Conservatives and Labour were able to concentrate more resources on the campaign for the by-elections but I think we are very well placed going forward."

Forest MP Mark Harper welcomed the election of Clayton Williams in Redmarley.

He said: "Clayton was elected following the sad death of Peter Ede earlier this year. Peter was a great local councillor who worked tirelessly for the community he served, and will be sincerely missed by us all.

"Clayton has big shoes to fill, but I have every confidence that he will do so, taking the role seriously and working hard for the people of Redmarley.

"I'm disappointed that Harry Ives didn't win in Coleford East this time. He is a young local campaigner who ran a strong campaign and I am sure that he will remain involved in local politics in the future."

Cllr Bruce Hogan, secretary of the Forest of Dean Labour Party welcomed the party's victory in Coleford and the defeat of UKIP.

He said: "We had a very strong candidate in Tanya Palmer and we are pleased at the return in Coleford East but the turn-out was hugely disappointing and should concern anyone who values the democratic process.

"I am pleased that despite their showing, UKIP were unable to replicate their recent success.

"It was important for us to have a candidate in Redmarley so people there who want to vote Labour have that choice.

"Every Labour vote will be important in next year's European elections and in the General Election."