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Conservatives gain
in bad night for Lib Dems
Lib Dems in the
Wantage constituency were reeling last night from a number of
heavy defeats in local government by-elections. Of four
by-elections held yesterday (13th March) the Lib Dems
lost control of three seats!
In Wantage, John
Morgan was victorious in his bid to become District & Town
Councillor for the Charlton Ward, seats previously held by the
late Cllr Moley. The gain reduces the Lib Dem majority on the
Vale District Council and loosens their grip on Wantage.
At the same
time, Cllr Bill Melotti slashed the Lib Dem County majority by
30%. In a tough fight, against very negative Lib Dem campaign,
Conservatives put up a strong fight and lost our by only 115
votes. A very close run election that will cause the Lib Dems
great concern that they have won by such a narrow margin in
their Leader’s own division.
Across the river
in Wallingford the Lib Dems lost their County Council seat to a
strong independent candidate. The Conservatives were the only
major party that put up a real candidate for the seat, and Pat
Dawe polled more than five times as many votes as the Labour
Party.
All in all this
has been a devastating night for the Lib Dems. From four seats
which they previously considered safe, they have been reduced to
one very marginal seat. Conservatives in Vale are delighted to
have welcomed their new colleague to the District Council, and
the campaign begins today to take the County seat in next year’s
all out elections. |
