Lib Dem boomerangs back on to district council (From The Westmorland Gazette)
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Lib Dem boomerangs back on to district council
10:48am Friday 10th February 2012 in News
A LONG-standing Liberal Democrat has boomeranged back into South Lakeland District Council after voters backed him with a large majority.
Jo Stephenson won more than 72 per cent of the vote in the Windermere Town by-election.
Lib Dems received 418 votes, the Conservatives 85 and Labour 50.
The result will Mr Stephenson return to council meetings after being ousted from a different Windermere seat in May elections last year.
At that time, he was beaten by Conservative councillor Ben Berry in a closely fought competition for the Windermere Applethwaite and Troutbeck seat which Mr Stephenson had represented for several years previously.
This week’s election was called after previous councillor Sandra Britton had to step down to care for her father.
Mr Stephenson said: "I want to thank local residents for the help, support and trust they have placed in me.
“I will work hard every day to repay that. I will join Tim and the local Lib Dem team and we will continue to work hard all year round for the community and fight for a better deal for Windermere."
Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said: "I want to congratulate Jo for his hard work - he will be fabulous on the council.
“He really is a fantastic community champion. Jo has a real track record of action for Windermere and I know he will continue to do all he can to improve the village and support local residents.”
Comments(7)
Utter
says...
11:59am Sat 11 Feb 12
Lakeuk
says...
4:10pm Sat 11 Feb 12
Fact is there are more members of the caravan club than there are of all parties put together
Desdan
says...
7:17pm Sun 12 Feb 12
life cycle too
says...
8:57pm Sun 12 Feb 12
Too many people simply could not get out of their homes - hence the low turn out!
The Liberals mobilised transport for their supporters, and bombarded voters by leaflet and telephone - I had three telephone calls - one on Wednesday and two on Thursday, as well as two visitors to my door!
jo stephenson
says...
5:12pm Tue 14 Feb 12
I think its unfair to criticise the low turn-out. In the worst polling conditions for 40 years, the surprising thing is the number of people who DID turn out. There's no apathy in Windermere.
life cycle too
says...
7:47pm Tue 14 Feb 12
Sorry Jo, it just does!! :)
When I got to the Library to vote in the early evening, the car park and steps were still very slippery - one would think that somebody would have got some grit to put on the steps.
I would have done it myself, but had used up mine outside the council chamber the night before!
Not sure how this turnout compares to last, but the sustained pressure from the liberal camp must have made a difference. I was promised help to get to the polling station both on the phone, and by the youth accompanying Tim Farron to my door in the morning!
I have never had such a sustained call on my vote in the past ever, by any party!
Ben Berry says...
10:09pm Fri 10 Feb 12
Well done