Great news from Cornwall where the Liberal Democrats have held on to the Launceston Central ward on Cornwall Council with a whopping 63% of the vote:
The Launceston Central result on Cornwall Council, a Liberal Democrat hold. pic.twitter.com/hScvcna85A
— Britain Elects (@britainelects) January 15, 2016
Congratulations to new Councillor Gemma Massey and her excellent campaign team.
the result shows that the Liberal Democrats are still alive and kicking in the south west.



10 Comments
Well done!
Far more votes (% share) appear to have been gained than lost. What gives?
Congratulations. A resounding vote of confidence in a great local team.
@David “Far more votes (% share) appear to have been gained than lost. What gives?”
Labour received 12% of the votes last time but did not have a candidate this time.
“Great news from Cornwall where the Liberal Democrats have held on to the Launceston Central ward on Cornwall Council with a whopping 63% of the vote”
I’m sure it was even better news in 2013 with 71%. Is this really evidence of a Lib Dem fightback?
@Peter Watson
Given that the Tories won the seat in May, and now have a more resources in the region, I’d say this is a solid result. Well done to all concerned.
@Peter Watson The seat was last contested in 2013 so the 8% fall represents 2 years of decline added to 8 months of (possible) recovery.
Interestingly the 2009 Cornwall Unitary Council election vote shares in Launceston were:
• Lib Dem 64% (By-election 63% – down 1%)
• Con 36% (By-election 28% – down 8%).
In May 2013 a popular, hard-working, first time, incumbent Lib Dem Councillor was defending this Ward.
The Green vote (7.9 %) exactly equals the drop in Liberal Democrat support and the increase in Conservative support – 10.4% – plus the vote for the Christian People’s Alliance – 1.5 % – almost equals the 12% support for Labour last time. Was it just a coincidence or have Cornish Labour supporters mostly switched to the Conservatives ?
Liberal Democrat incumbents have often increased their percentage support in the past so this is a good result in view of Gavin Grant’s figures.
Great result!