THE Labour Party has another member on Thanet District Council following its victory in the Margate Central by-election. John Watkins polled 370 votes in the seat vacated by the resignation of Cllr Colin Kiddell.

There was a shock for the Liberal Democrats candidate, financial journalist Guy Voisey, who came fourth behind the British National Party.

The full results were:

Karen Majorie Cardwell, Socialist Alliance, 19 votes

Ramesh Geoffrey Chhabra, Conservative, 201

Francis Robert Foy, Independent, 18

Alan Parker British National Party, 172

Timothy Edward Stocks UK Independence Party 37

Guy Stuart Bennett Voizey, Liberal Democrat, 85

John Terence Charles Watkins, Labour, 370

The turnout was 25.88 per cent, compared to 23.95per cent in the same ward in May 2003.