The Liberal Democrats were victorious in both of the by-elections held in Maidstone last night(18).

Robert Bird secured 2,169 votes in the contest to represent the Maidstone Central Division on Kent County Council, almost twice that achieved by his closest rival, Conservative Paul Butcher.

Labour came third, ahead of UKIP, then the Greens and finally the English Democrats

But the turnout was very low, only 19% of the electorate.

Of those that did vote, only 2,737 went to the polling booth to place their cross. Almost as many, 2,668 people, voted by post.

In the by-election for Allington Ward on Maidstone Borough Council, Belinda Watson won for the Lib Dems, with more than twice the vote of Conservative Barry Ginley. Labour were third, ahead of UKIP and then the Greens.

The turnout was 30%. Of the 1,690 total votes cast, 633 were sent in by post.

Both seats were previously held by Cllr Malcolm Robertson for the Lib Dems, so the overall political balance on both authorities remains unchanged, with the Conservatives firmly in charge of both councils.

Maidstone Central Division, Kent County Council

ElectedRobert Bird (Lib Dem) 2169

Paul Butcher (Con) 1301

Paul Harper (Lab) 943

John Stanford (UKIP) 510

Stuart Jeffery (Green) 393

Michael Walters (English Democrats) 89

Total votes cast 5,405

Turnout 19%

Allington Ward, Maidstone Borough Council

ElectedBelinda Watson (Lib Dem) 885

Barry Ginley (Con) 434

Marianna Poliszczuk (Lab) 179

Gareth Kendall (UKIP) 162

Jill Shepherd (Green)

Total votes cast 1,690

Turnout 30%