News

Steven Scarrott won the Earley Town Council by-election
advertisement

Lib Dems retain seat in Earley by-election

By Lewis Rudd
November 27, 2009

The Liberal Democrats managed to maintain one of its few seats on Earley Town Council last night – but only just.

A by-election held yesterday to find a candidate to fill the Radstock ward seat, left vacant fol-lowing the death of Carol Mitchell in September, was filled by fellow Lib Dem Steven Scarrott.

Mr Scarrott collected 618 votes, and in doing so saw off a strong challenge from the Conserva-tive candidate, Brian Wedge, who received 600 votes.

The count recorded a 33 per cent turnout and three spoiled ballots.

Mr Scarrott’s victory means the Tory-controlled town council keeps its 20 members, while the Lib Dems has five.

| Submit Comments | View Comments (6)

« Previous Story | Next Story »

Most recent user comments 6 of 6

Show 15 | 25 | 50 per page

To M Whiley - the person you refer to (Chair of Reading Conservative Futre)actually lives in Earley. Not only that he actually lives in Radstock Ward as well!

To Alex Jones - if the Liberal Democrats retaining a seat held by Liberal Democrats is breaking into a Conservative stronghold it is clear you do not understand the politics of Radstock!

Cllr Keith Baker
30/11/2009 at 18:37

Keith, I can for one vouch that it wasn't just Earley Conservatives out there as I saw the Chair of Reading's Conservative Future knocking up on the streets of Earley on Thursday night.

Good result in a very marginal seat, although it's a shame that half of those that voted won't have that vote reflected in Earley Town Council. Hope that Steve does a good job by everyone, the impression I get at least is he's a competent and hard working guy from all accounts.

M.Whiley, Earley
30/11/2009 at 12:26

A very close fight and an unusually high turnout, it was great to see so many people make the effort to turn out to vote in a Town Council By-Election, it shows that local democracy is alive and well.

Pauline Jorgensen
28/11/2009 at 21:52

Good to see Liberal Democrats breaking into the Tory stronghold.

Alex Jones
28/11/2009 at 20:04

Gareth - what planet are you on? Just because there is a conservative councillor already in the ward does not make it an ultra-marginal! Although it is definitely a marginal seat now with your majority coming down from 45 to just 18.

Finally what is this nonsense about massed ranks of Berkshire Conservatives! This campaign was run totally by Earley Conservatives and 98% of the work carried out by them. Can you say the same about your Liberal Democrats?

Cllr Keith Baker
28/11/2009 at 18:28

The presentation of this report as a Tory near-miss conveniently ignores the fact that the Tories already have a councillor in this ward; it already was ultra-marginal.

So for the Liberal Democrats to win against the entire massed ranks of Berkshire Conservatives is a pretty good result I think, which augurs well for Liberalism and the people of Woodley!