The Residents Association held onto its Ruxley seat in the by-election held on February 15.

Alex Coley has been elected as councillor, following Keith Partridge’s resignation over “a change in personal circumstances”.

Councillor Coley, a former civil servant who now runs a digital communications and technology company, received 37 per cent of the vote (398).

He beat Conservative Stephen James Pontin (32 per cent), Labour’s Themba Msika (25 per cent) and the Liberal Democrats’ Julia Kirkland (6 per cent).

After the result was announced, he tweeted: “I am proud to announce that I am now Councillor Coley, following an RA win in the Ruxley by election. Thanks to my incredible election agent, Clive Smitheram, and everyone in West Ewell and Ruxley Residents Associations and beyond who supported me.”

The Residents Association vote share was down 7.4 per cent on 2015, Labour’s was up by 10.5 per cent, and the Liberal Democrat vote dropped by 2.5 per cent.

Overall turnout was 23.38 per cent.