THE Conservatives are claiming a famous victory in the “mini election” at Warrington.
In the Penketh West parish council by election, Tory candidate Peter Elton (pictured) romped home to victory, polling almost twice as many votes as his Labour and Liberal Democrat opponents combined.
And in the Penketh East contest, after a recount, they failed by just five votes to take a seat in a fierce battle with the Liberal Democrats.
Labour came bottom of the poll in the East ward – losing a seat they previously held.
Conservative constituency agent Paul Kennedy said: “This was a great victory for us. We had the highest aggregate vote – 492 compared to 327 for the Liberal Democrats and 306 for Labour.
“This was despite a very negative campaign fought by the Liberal Democrats.
“I think the result shows that the Conservatives are the only ones who can challenge Labour in South Warrington.”
The full result was: West: Peter Elton (Cons) 311; Anthony Williams (Lab) 176; Ann Raymond (Lib Dem) 141; Joe Royle (Ind) 78; Stephanie Davies (Green) 18; Shoaib Malik (Faith Unity Discipline) 1.
East: Andrew Barnes 186 (Lib Dem); Ken Magill (Cons) 181; Stella Fletcher (Lab) 131.
Tories celebrate after mini election
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
2 Comments
I thought Lib/Dems had little chance when they fielded a candidate that does’nt live in Penketh.
In my opinion Parish councils should be freew from party politics and only parishioners should be allowed to stand for election
Let me suggest another way of looking at this result, Tories lose one seat to the Liberal Democrats and gain one from Labour, Net result:
Liberal Democrats + 1
Tories 0
Labour – 1
The Tories will get more votes in one of the few areas of the town where they were traditionally strong and Liberal Democrats are beginning to make a sigificant showing. But the Tories shouldn’t celebrate losing seats, unless they are desperate enough to feel that is a success.
The momentum to challenge Labour in South Warrington lies with the Liberal Democrats not the Tories, however much they would like voters to believe otherwise.
Bob