Andy Gerard has been elected the new Councillor for Kingsbrook ward in Bedford. (Pictured above with Councillor Anita Gerard, Bedford Mayor Dave Hodgson and PPC for Bedford and Kempston, Henry Vann.)
The results in full:
Lib Dems 660;
Labour 370;
Con 150;
Ind1 85;
Ind2 73
Turnout: 18.4%
Previous councillors in Kingsbrook ward include Dan Rogerson MP and the Mayor of Bedford, Dave Hodgson.
Henry Vann, PPC for Bedford and Kempston said,
Two government ministers visited during the campaign – including their “election guru” Douglas Alexander. This is an abysmal result for Labour and technically the first electoral test of the pre-budget report.
The result can hardly be a consolation to the Tories either. They were rejected by voters, and saw their vote slashed to just 150 across the ward.
It is quite clear that voters recognise a hard-working candidate, and Andy Gerard will make a great campaigner for Kingsbrook.
6 Comments
Hurrah – and winning in west devon too I believe!!
Correct, Felix.
There have been four byelections in the Torridge & West Devon constituency since the 2007 election. Lib Dems have now gained three of them (two from Tories and one from Independent) , and narrowly missed holding the other one (which was taken by a well-established Independent).
Congratulations to the team in Bedford.
November and December have brought a string of good results in Devon and Cornwall, following disapointing county council results in June.
Note the Labour MP in the background on the photo: Patrick Hal. Perhaps he is wondering how they got just 27% in a seat where they had a councillor until June.
Incidentally Andy got 661 votes, not 660.
Apologies. It is Patrick Hall, not Hal.
Yeah, a great result… a 10% swing to Labour on a 18% turnout. And great for the local residents who have suffered from nothing being done in their area. It’s been Lib-Dem for over a decade and the area suffers problems that are not dealt with. I doubt they will be helped with a Councillor who despite claiming to be ‘local’ lives in Kempston.
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