TWO major parties in Newport will not call for a by-election in a city ward seat left vacant following the death of a councillor last month, the Argus has learned.

Newport council has given notice of a vacancy for a councillor in the Alway ward, which Labour member Ken Powell served until his death in September.

Representatives of the Labour and Liberal Democrat groups both told the Argus that they will not call for an by-election to be held in the ward.

Both cited the closeness to the next round of council elections, due to take place in May 2012, as a reason for not to seek a by-election. For an election to be held two voters must give notice in writing to the council.

The Argus was unable to contact the chairman of the Newport East constituency Conservative party Mark Major to ascertain the Tory's position yesterday.

Labour Cllr Mark Whitcutt said the Labour group didn't think it would be in the public interest for an election at this stage.

Cllr Whitcutt said: "It will cost about £6,000 of public money to hold a by-election and we think that could be better spent at this time when people are losing their jobs."

He added the seat is presently well represented by two senior Labour members, John Guy and Ray Truman.

Ed Townsend, leader of the Liberal Democrat Newport council group, said: "It seems sensible to allow Alway to select a representative when the May elections come around with them being only a few months away."