Tories gain two seats in by-election in Warrington North

THE Conservatives have picked up two seats in a parish council by-election in Warrington North.
Gareth and Jane Rowlinson gained the seats in the Westbrook ward on Burtonwood and Westbrook Parish Council.
When the area was contested last year, five Labour and four Liberal Democrats were elected, with the Tories unable to field a candidate.
The parish council is controlled by Labour.
Warrington North parliamentary candidate Val Allen said: “The fact that two Conservatives have been elected in Westbrook will send shockwaves through Jeremy Corbyn’s campaign team in Warrington North.
“We’ve seen lifelong Labour voter after lifelong Labour voter telling us that Jeremy Corbyn simply doesn’t share their values.
“Many of them have never dreamed of voting Conservative before but they’re backing Theresa May now and rejecting Jeremy Corbyn and his candidate here.
“It sends a clear message to anyone filling out their postal vote this week or going to the ballot box on June 8 – if you vote Conservative, you get Conservative.”
Jane Rowlinson, newly elected councillor said: “We’re both a little bit shocked to be honest. When we agreed to stand we were told that it would be a tough fight because Labour were so strong in this area. It’s been either them or the Liberal Democrats for years.
“People are looking for the strong, stable leadership of Theresa May and the Conservatives and rejecting Jeremy Corbyn and his Coalition of Chaos.
“Here’s hoping that Val Allen can plant the Conservative flag firmly in Warrington North on June 8.”
The full result was: Eric Challinor (UKIP) 49; Stephanie Davies (Green)  40; Paul Garner (Labour) 175; David Knapp (Liberal Democrats) 99; Trevor Nicholls (Collective Thinking Party) 12; Gareth Rowlinson (Conservative) 188; Jane Rowlinson (Conservative) 194; Luke Ryan (Labour) 156; Daniel Warren (Liberal Democrats) 74 Michael Wass (Green):40; Ian Wilson (UKIP) 28.