LABOUR held on to a council seat in Hazel Blears’ Salford constituency  in the first test of her party’s popularity following the MPs expenses furore.

And fears that the expenses row engulfing Ms Blears and nationwide politics could bring more votes for the BNP failed to materialise with the far-right group coming third.

But Labour’s majority, in the heartland ward of Irwell Riverside, was reduced in the wake of the expenses fiasco.

A low turn-out of 17.5 per cent – compared to 20.5pc last year –  on Thursday also highlighted the country’s disillusionment with politics.

Matt Mold, the 27-year-old Labour candidate, won with 606 votes. The Lib Dems’ Steven Middleton came second with 293 votes with the BNP’s Gary Tumulty third with 276.

Coun Mold said: “This result shows that in difficult times people share our values. Hazel has been absolutely fantastic.

"She has my 110pc support and that of the constituency Labour party. She has been nothing but an asset to this campaign."

Ms Blears said: “I don’t think this is about me. It was about Matt Mold. This result shows yet again that people share our values.

"I have been here for 30 years. I spent eight years in this town hall. The people of Salford know me and know what I am about.”


The result represented a swing away from Labour, who won the ward in 2008 with 888 votes compared to the Lib Dems’ 337, the Tories’ 286 and just 233 for the BNP.

Backlash

It was better than expected after some had privately feared a bigger backlash against Ms Blears, who spent the day canvassing with Mr Mold.

Ms Blears, the Communities Secretary, has handed over a £13,000 to the taxman after it emerged she avoided paying the sum in capital gains tax on the sale of a flat in London.

The flat was registered with the Inland Revenue as her main home – even though she had designated it her ‘secondary residence’ for parliamentary purposes, allowing her to claim mortgage interest payments and furniture from the public purse.

Gordon Brown described Ms Blears’ actions as ‘totally unacceptable’ this week – but a Number 10 spokesman later said the Communities Secretary retained the prime minister’s ‘full support’.

Martin Bell – the ex-journalist who ousted Neil Hamilton from the Tatton seat in 1997 on an ‘anti-sleaze’ ticket – said on Thursday that he would ‘not rule out’ taking on Ms Blears.

The BNP – which has a ban on non-white members and wants to pay non-white British citizens to leave the country – has been trying to exploit the public’s disillusionment with mainstream politicians.

Thursday's by-election was sparked by the death of Labour’s James Hulmes in March.

Mr Hulmes, know as Jimmy, was a former mayor – respected on all sides of the chamber – who passed away aged 78 after a long illness.

The result means Labour has 36 seats, the Conservatives 13 and the Lib Dems 10.

Matt Mold (Lab) 606

Steven Ian Middleton (Lib Dem) 293

Gary Tumulty (BNP) 276

Chris Bates (Con) 189

Rob Mitchell (Green) 125

Duran Benjamin O'Dwyer (UKIP) 123