The Liberal Democrats enjoyed a comfortable win in yesterday's only local Council by-election. The vacancy for Keswick, Allerdale BC (Cumbria) was caused by the resignation of Independent Councillor David Robinson for health reasons.
Despite this being his second term Robinson had never actually contested an election to sit on the District Council. In 2007 Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats only ran one candidate each for this three member ward, with Robinson standing for the Lib Dems. During his first term Robinson left the party and sought a second term as an Independent. Despite the defection the Liberal Democrats did not run against him and he was re-elected unopposed with the sole Labour and Tory candidates.
Although we have to go back to 2003 to find an election in this ward there was a County Council by-election in the Keswick & Derwent division this May. Helpfully, the Keswick ward contributes the majority of voters to this division so the result was useful. Robinson came second as an Independent behind the Conservatives, with the Liberal Democrats a close third. As the Conservatives are very strong in the Derwent part of the division the combined Robinson/Lib Dem vote pointed to a Liberal Democrat victory in this by-election, especially as the Tories were not standing.
Martin Pugmire duly delivered for the Liberal Democrats and secured almost 60% of the vote in an easy victory. Of course, questions will surely be asked about the lack of a Conservative candidate as this Lib Dem win prevented Labour getting an overall majority. They will have to make do with effective control of Allerdale Council as the Labour Mayor has the casting vote. The next all out elections are due to take place in 2015.
Allerdale Borough Council | |||||||||||
Lab | Con | Ind | NA | LD | |||||||
28 | - | 12 | - | 11 | -1 | 4 | - | 1 | +1 | ||
Keswick | |||||||||||
By-Election Candidate | Votes | Vote % | |||||||||
Martin Pugmire (E) | 757 | 59.7% | |||||||||
Tony Lywood | 448 | 35.3% | |||||||||
Flic Crowley | 63 | 5.0% | |||||||||
Tom Harris
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