There was a meagre crumb of comfort for Nick Clegg and the beleaguered Lib Dems as the party managed to hold on to a seat in the heart of his Sheffield Hallam constituency.
The by-election in the Fulwood ward, in the south-west of the city, was the only election for councillors yesterday in the whole of South Yorkshire.
It was called following the death of the sitting Lib Dem councillor.
The party won the seat again with Cliff Woodcraft securing 2,563 votes.
Labour came second, the Tories third and Ukip fourth with 501 votes.
The turnout was 37.5%.
The result made no difference to the balance of power on Sheffield City Council, which remains Labour controlled.