Last night, the Conservatives won both local government by-elections in Rayleigh, Essex, beating the Liberal Democrats on twice. One election was for the Grange and Sweyne Park Ward of Rochford District Council and the other was for the Trinity Ward, a constituent ward of Rayleigh Town Council.
In the Grange and Sweyne Park Ward, Councillor Danielle Belton, the Conservative Party candidate, won 541 votes, beating the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party into second and third place respectively, with the Liberal Democrats winning 407 Votes and the Green Party 140 votes. The seat was previously held by the Rochford District Residents.
In the Trinity Ward by-election for Rayleigh Town Council, Keith Podd, the Conservative Party candidate won 644 votes, with a majority of 222, beating Ian Oakley of the Liberal Democrats and Samantha Reid, who was this time standing as an independent (having previously stood for the Labour Party elsewhere), with Ian winning 422 votes and Samantha winning 104.
The Trinity Ward by-election was caused by the by the untimely death of popular local councillor, Les Jeffries, a former Royal Artillery Veteran, who sadly passed away this summer. The second by-election for the Grange and Sweyne Park Ward, was caused by the resignation of Independent Councillor Toby Mountain, who is leaving the country to take up a job opportunity abroad.
Commenting on the successful night for the Tories in Rayleigh, Mark Francois MP said:
“I would like to congratulate Councillor Danielle Belton and Councillor Keith Podd, and of course, their respective campaign teams, on what is a hugely positive result. I am very pleased that the people of Rayleigh have re-confirmed their support for Conservative led local government and for the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. On the doorstep, The Liberal Democrat policy of revoking Article 50 and keeping us in the EU, despite the referendum result, was clearly unpopular and I believe contributed to both the Conservative victories last night.”
