LIB DEMS CELEBRATE HISTORIC CORNWALL COUNCIL WIN

11.33.22am GMT Fri 27th Nov 2009

Lib Dems win historic Cornwall Council by-election

Liberal Democrats are celebrating after winning the first ever by-election to Cornwall Council, securing a 13.4% swing from the Conservatives to take the seat.

The election, the first by-election to the new Cornwall Council, was caused by the resignation of former Conservative Councillor Richard Stewart due to ill-health.

Newly elected Lib Dem Councillor John Oxenham won 690 votes to beat Cornwall's Conservative election-chief Bob Davidson by 15 votes on a 40% total turn-out of the ward.

Since the same area was last contested in June this year there has been a 13.46% swing away from the Conservatives and to the Liberal Democrats.

Councillor John Oxenham said, "I'm privileged to have the chance to represent the people of St Austell Bay on Cornwall Council and want to thank everybody who voted for me. The work starts immediately to tackle the concerns that people raised on the doorsteps."

Hamish McCallum, the Lib Dem Campaign Manager in St Austell & Newquay, said, "It's clear that people already feel let down by the Conservative led Council after just five-months. People who voted Conservative in June have turned to the Lib Dems as the only party that will consistently stand up for a fair deal for Cornwall and will deliver action not just words."

St Austell & Newquay Prospective MP, Steve Gilbert, said, "John will be a huge asset to Cornwall and a strong voice for the residents of St Austell Bay. Like me, John will always put the interests of local people before those of party politics and I look forward to working with him."