Lib-Dems display their democratic credentials

In a by-election in Horsforth (Leeds) the Labour candidate defeated the Lib Dem candidate, but was out of the country when he should have signed the bit of paper to accept office. So even though he had won the election he was chucked off the council.

The controlling Lib-Dems decided there was no need to re run the election and that the council should co-opt a member to the vacant seat. The Labour and Tory councillors moved that the person who actually won the election should co-opted. The Lib-Dem majority outvoted them and co-opted the Lib-Dem candidate who had lost the election. Lib-Dems loosing/winning here.