Local Conservatives have welcomed victory in a local by-election. The Conservative Party Candidate Bruce Allison secured the vacant seat in a by-election contest for the Scotter & Blyton Ward of West Lindsey District Council for the Party.
The contest followed the resignation of Conservative district councillor Adam Duguid. As ballot boxes were opened and votes began to be counted it initially appeared as if Liberal Democrat Liz Clews was ahead, but as the swift count continued it became clearer that Bruce had secured a win for the Conservatives. Bruce said:
“I want to thank the Returning Officer, the county staff and all those that kept the polling stations open throughout this election.
“I am very grateful to everyone who has supported me with a special mention to my Agent, Giles McNeill, and my wife Christine, who both worked tirelessly to make this happen.
“I wish to thank everyone who has participated in today's election. I will work hard for everyone across the Scotter and Blyton Ward in my new role as district councillor and I hope we can all come together to make this ward and West Lindsey a great place to live, work and play.”
Conservative Party Agent, Giles McNeill added:
“An increase in the share of votes for the Party is always very welcome. We increased our share of the vote by nearly nine per cent since the last election in 2015. That’s a real achievement after nine years in power at the council, seven years in government, all the time protecting delivery of frontline local services, as funding from central government disappears.
“Bruce’s victory is a vindication of positive politics. Local Conservatives pride ourselves on our honesty and integrity. We run campaigns that are about what we would do in office, not sneering at people or attacking others. The bitterness of the Labour campaign must surely be one reason for their poor performance, dropping back when they are topping the polls is humiliating for them. They really should have come second, not third in this contest, but were several hundred votes behind the Liberal Democrat candidate in second place.”
Sir Edward Leigh MP commented:
“I am delighted to hear that Bruce has won his seat on the council. As a local school governor, parish councillor and former policeman I am sure he will add to the many talents of the Conservative Group.
The result of the Scotter and Blyton Ward of West Lindsey District Council contest was:
- Bruce Allison, Conservative 694 (44.0%) Elected
- Liz Clews, Liberal Democrat 555 (35.1%)
- Jonathan Harper, Labour 230 (14.6%)
- Neville Jones, UKIP 100 (6.3%)
Turnout 25.7% | Swing: 0.05% from the Liberal Democrats to the Conservatives