Lib Dems gain Seat from Tory County set

8.35.29pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 25th Aug 2007

Lib Dem campaigner Andrew Houseley was among the team celebrating a superb by-election gain from the Conservatives. In a campaign which highlighted swingeing cuts and gathering chaos resulting from multiple reorganisations, experienced campaigner Penny Otton snatched the Suffolk County Council seat of Thedwastre South, located between Stowmarket and Bury St Edmunds.

The full result of the election held on 23rd August 2007 was:

LD Penny Otton 927 (41.8%; +7.5),

Con 833 (37.5%; -9.4),

Green 287 (12.9%; +12.9),

Lab 88 (4.0%; -14.8),

UKIP 85 (3.8%; +3.8)

Majority 94. Turnout 32.4%. LD gain from Con. Last fought 2005

In her acceptance speech, Penny said: "This result shows the concerns that the public have over a number of the Conservatives' policies at County Hall.

"I will do my best to fight for the rights of all the residents in the division and thank them for electing me.

"I would also like to thank my husband, who wouldn't have chosen to spend our wedding anniversary campaigning for my election today, as well as my fantastic team."

Source: Bury Free Press

http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/news/New-Thedwastre-councillor.3144924.jp

Suffolk County Council's Tory leader had objected to assertions in Lib Dem Focus leaflets that the planned scrapping of Middle Schools could increase the roll of one school in the area by 1,000 students while closing another, and to the possibility that the excellent Library service - significantly improved when Lib Dems held the cabinet position under the last administration at County Hall - would be privatised.

In fact the leaflets were quoting the council's report on middle schools reorganisation on the first issue, and an expensive Tory council-commissioned consultants report into ways of saving money on the Libraries question.

The council has also scrapped a number of services to the most vulnerable people in Suffolk, while imposing charges for others.

Lib Dem campaigner Andrew Houseley commented:

"This result was one of only two principal council by-elections in the country this week. As well as the local Tories showing increasing signs of bungling - their Leader appeared not to know what was in his own reports - I detected a shift of opinion from people who I would have considered Conservative voters in the very recent past.

*Nationally, David Cameron is increasingly seen as not making the grade, inept even. And it's clear many Conservative members and supporters don't actually like him.

"It was also interesting that while the Labour vote collapsed, the Greens failed to make much of an impact in this election. While local elections must always be fought on local issues, especially when services are being cut, these by-elections also serve as a useful barometer of public opinion for the whole country."

"I am told that at the count on Thursday night, the Conservatives walked out and were muttering about 'dirty tricks.' This is rank bad form. On the contrary, we told the truth, bringing to residents' attention matters that will affect their local services and who will represent them in the face of this onslaught. I don't like it when the Tories congratulate the Liberal Democrats on what they languidly call 'a good clean contest' - because this always comes when we have lost to them!"