Salisbury by-election result is 'far from success story'

However, I think readers will be interested in the numbers, which show the result is far from a Liberal Democrat success story.

The Conservatives won 605 votes, taking 36 per cent of the vote, up from 24 per cent in the 2025 contest, representing a 12-point increase and a relative rise of more than 50 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats' vote share increased by fewer than two points.

Reform fell from 18 per cent to 11 per cent.

The Liberal Democrats’ attempt to portray a vote for the Conservatives as a vote for Reform was resoundingly rejected by the electorate.

Turnout increased from 35 per cent to 40 per cent, suggesting greater engagement from local voters, with concerns around the Liberal Democrat plan to reduce black bin collections and their raid on the Council reserves being a strong motivation for many.

Our result reflects a desire for sound financial management at County Hall and protection of vital services in the community.

I want to reassure those who voted for Conservative representation in Milford that we will continue to hold the Liberal Democrat leadership to account for every budget line that squanders the sound financial footing they inherited from us.

Stephen Croft

Chairman of The Salisbury Conservative Association

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