The Conservative party have suffered a significant blow after the Liberal Democrats snatched a Norfolk County Council seat in what is traditionally a Tory stronghold.
John Crofts was victorious at the Freebridge by-election today (August 4), making it the second loss for the Tories in less than a month.
He took 669 of the votes, beating Conservative candidate Olivia Morris in second place with 539 votes.
Green candidate Michael De Whalley came in third with 418 votes whereas Labour's Lesley Marriage came in last with 115 votes.
Turnout was 23.8pc.
Speaking after the victory, former headteacher Mr Crofts said: "I am incredibly humbled and delighted to have won.
"The Conservative majority was considerable last time but it just goes to show that getting out into the community and talking with people and listening to the issues important to them makes a difference.
"The task now is to hold the Tories to account and ensure the people of King's Lynn get what they deserve."
Olivia Morris, who is Norwich North MP Chloe Smith's chief of staff, declined to comment after the loss, following what is likely a major blow for the Conservatives who have held the seat for more than a decade.
At the last election for the seat in 2021, Mr Daubney held the seat for the Conservatives with 64.7pc of the vote, beating off competition from the Greens and Labour.
And in 2017, the Conservatives gained 57pc of the votes.
Conservative leader Kay Milson Billig said: "By-elections are always difficult for the incumbent party in government and this result is reflective of that.
"Olivia Morris is an excellent candidate, and the result is disappointing for her considering how committed she is and how hard she worked.
"Freebridge Lynn has traditionally been a Conservative division and we will continue to offer the residents our support in the anticipation that they will return a Conservative councillor at the next County elections in 2025."
Mr Crofts said his first task is to address locals' concerns about the number of large housing developments proposed for the area and the lack of infrastructure to support the new homes, as well as working to improve children's access to services.
Liberal Democrat county councillor Rob Colwell, who campaigned with Mr Crofts, said the win in Tory heartland was "historic" and that it was "evident right from the start of the campaign that people wanted change."
The political make-up at Tory-controlled County Hall is now Conservatives 53, Labour 12, Liberal Democrats 11, four Greens, two independents and one non-aligned independent.
The result follows a bruising defeat for the Tories in the local elections in May, which saw the party lose control of Great Yarmouth, Broadland, West Norfolk and East Suffolk.
The by-election, held at the King's Centre in Wellesley Street King's Lynn, was called after the death of Conservative councillor Nick Daubney, a former West Norfolk Council leader who had represented Freebridge Lynn since 2021.
Nick Daubney, 72, passed away at his home in Pott Row, near King's Lynn.
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