LABOUR supporters were overjoyed after Newport West candidate Rosemary Butler almost quadrupled her majority.
Mrs Butler polled more than half of the votes cast in the seat, seeing her majority over the Conservatives rise from 1,401 to 4,220.
The Labour AM, who served as deputy presiding officer in the last Assembly, said the result set the course for Newport regaining the council in elections due next year.
David Williams, Tory candidate, saw his vote fall by 0.7 per cent on 2007, while the Liberal Democrats saw their party’s position in the area fall from third to last, being outrun by Plaid Cymru.
In her acceptance speech Mrs Butler said the result was “a vote of confidence in the Labour led National Assembly of Wales."
She added: “I am sure tonight will be a stepping stone for Labour regaining Newport next year.”
Labour were confident throughout the night, while David Williams said that it was “possible, but not probable” for him to win hours before the count was completed.
Plaid Cymru’s Lyndon Binding polled 1,626 votes, down on Plaid’s showing in 2007 when it won 2,449 votes.
Liberal Democrats were thin on the ground at the count, with few supporters when compared to the many Labour members who had come out to support Mrs Butler.
The party’s candidate Liz Newton said after the count: “I think it was always going to be a difficult night tonight.
”Unfortunately Labour were fighting on Westminster rather than on the Welsh Assembly Government’s own record.”
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