Lib Dems take seat in council by-election

New councillor Dawn Logan (centre) with Liberal Democrat BCP council leader Millie Earl and fellow ward councillor Matthew Gillett

The Liberal Democrats have won another seat on Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council following a ward by-election.

Dawn Logan was elected to represent residents in Talbot and Branksome Wood in a by-election called after the Conservative councillor and former council leader Phil Broadhead stepped down to move abroad.

Reform took second place in the by-election - the party had been hoping to win its first seat on the council.

It gives the Lib Dems a total of 29 seats on the council it runs as part of the Three Towns Alliance coalition.

Ms Logan received 910 of the 2,808 votes cast, Reform's Martin Houlden polled 791 and Jo Keeling for the Conservatives 770.

Turnout for the election was 28.6%.

Ms Logan said the result was "a real vote of confidence" for the party which has led a coalition administration of the council since the local elections in 2023.

A mix of councillors from the Liberal Democrats, Christchurch Independents, Poole People Party and the Bournemouth Independent Group formed the Three Towns Alliance.

Asked if she felt Reform had split the right-wing vote in the by-election, Ms Logan added: "It's been so interesting speaking to people on the doorstep and working out what is happening in their homes and driving Reform to ride such a wave.

"But however people voted, I'm going to be working hard for them."