A big swing to the Conservatives saw the party hold on to its seat in an Enfield Council by-election with an increased majority.

Tory candidate James Hockney boosted his party’s share of the vote in Bush Hill Park by almost a fifth to take the seat, which was left empty when fellow Conservative Jon Daniels stood down in September.

Cllr Hockney won more than 50 per cent of the 2,937 ballots cast.

Labour candidate Bevin Betton came second with just under a third of the vote – a drop of more than five per cent on the party’s previous standing.

The Liberal Democrats took 11 per cent, with the Green Party on 4 per cent, the Women’s Equality Party 3 per cent and independent candidate Erol Ovayolu on 2 per cent.

Cllr Hockney, 40, lives with his family in in Bush Hill Park and runs his own business.

He tweeted: “Huge thank you to everyone who helped on the journey to me becoming Bush Hill Park Councillor! Humbled by the result with a 11 per cent swing to us.”

Conservative leader Cllr Joanne Laban said: “It was a fantastic result for the Conservatives in Enfield last night.

“James will be a great councillor and member of the Conservative team.

“Thank you to everyone who helped on the campaign.”

Enfield Council’s Labour leader Cllr Nesil Caliskan claimed the result was “not a gain for the Conservatives or a loss to Labour”.

She said: “Enfield Labour Party are of course disappointed because we fight for every vote and the view of every resident matters to us.

“The reality is, these are extraordinarily difficult times for local government.

“Conservative government cuts are making it incredibly difficult for councils to deliver services residents want, need and deserve. Never has local government been under such attack.

“Enfield Council will continue to engage and listen to Bush Hill Park residents, and all residents across our borough.”