LIBERAL Democrat Nigel Scott is the new borough councillor for Alexandra ward after being elected last night (Thursday October 9). Mr Scott won the by-election with 1,460 votes, compared to Labour candidate Joanna Christophides s 772 votes; Tory candidate

LIBERAL Democrat Nigel Scott is the new borough councillor for Alexandra ward after being elected last night (Thursday October 9).

Mr Scott won the by-election with 1,460 votes, compared to Labour candidate Joanna Christophides's 772 votes; Tory candidate David Douglas who won 443 votes; Green Party candidate James Patterson who won 221 votes, and BNP candidate Fred Halsey who secured 27 votes.

After the results were announced at Wood Green Civic Centre, Cllr Scott said: "I'd like to thank all my staff. I'd like to thank the police for their presence and ensuring everything is done properly; and the campaigners for achieving this fantastic result."

He added: "I met some members of the Labour Party while I was canvassing and I hope they will stand again because that is what makes democracy work."

The 58-year-old married father of two, lives in Wood Green near Alexandra Palace Station. He has worked for a sexual health charity for 10 years and is also a governor at Alexandra Park School and Bounds Green Primary School.

He told the Broadway: "I will be campaigning to improve traffic conditions in the ward, fighting to save Alexandra Palace and the community building CUFOS which is behind it."

Meanwhile, George Meehan, Leader of Haringey Council and Labour Cllr Matt Cooke were busy tallying up the percentage of Labour votes.

"There has been a six point one per cent swing to Labour" cried Cllr Meehan, "which isn't bad in the middle of a major economic crisis.

"But I suppose the loudest message from voters here tonight was to the BNP... to get lost!"

Tory candidate David Douglas was also satisfied with his share of the vote:

"My share of the vote has gone up" he declared, "I'm dead pleased."

And then added: "The biggest problem we have as Tories in this area, is that people say they are Conservatives but then admit that they don't want Labour to get in, so they vote Lib Dem.

"My message to them is that they should vote for the party they believe in.

"I also believe that if 1,460 people living in Alexandra have voted Lib Dem, the Lib Dems could at least find some candidates who actually live in the area to stand," he added defiantly.

The by-election was held after Lib Dem Cllr Wayne Hoban stepped down to take up a new job in Worthing.

In total, 35 per cent of the 8,200 people who were eligible to vote did so. It is not yet known how many of the 300-strong Jewish population voted because of the election being held on Yom Kippur. This was the holiest day in the Jewish calendar - in which practising Jews were unable to drive or write.