In the latest round of Council by-elections, this time held on November 18, the Green Party has gained a seat from Labour in Canterbury.

The by-election held in the Gorrell Ward in Whitsable saw the Green candidate, Clare Turnbull, emerged victorious with 1,149 votes (44% of the vote).  Labour’s Dane Buckman was second with 803 votes.

Although the Greens no doubt benefitted from the failure of the Liberal Democrats to contest the ward, Labour’s share of the vote declined by 6% as they lost the seat.

The result in the far south eastern corner of England follows a similar result in this area last week.  On that occassion the Green’s gained a council seat in neighbouring Thanet, that time at the expense of the Liberal Democrats.

These victories come at a time when political polls have recorded a notable increase in support for the Greens.   A poll earlier this month from Ipsos Mori showed the Greens having risen to 11%, surpassing the Liberal Democrats on 9%.

Cantebury is represented at Westminster by the Labour MP Rosie Duffield. Canterbury Council is though itself currently controlled by the Conservative Party.