After one of the strangest by-election campaigns I have ever experienced, I am delighted to say that the LibDems have held Tudor ward in Watford (Borough and Constituency). The full result was:
LibDem 932 Darren Walford (50.0%)
Con 486 Richard Southern (26.1%)
Lab 273 Mark Xerri (14.6%)
Green 91Helen Wynne (4.9%)
BNP 83 Guy Dickens (4.4%)Result in May 2008
LibDem 847 (46.9%)
Con 695 (38.5%)
Lab 192 (10.6%)
Green 72 (4.0%)
The LibDem Candidate Darren Walford is a local painter and decorator, with a young daughter. He said that he wanted to stand for election because he wanted to get things done, rather than just sit and moan, so I think he’s going to make an excellent councillor!
The by-election was caused after the then LibDem councillor was caught drink driving twice in a few weeks. After the first offence, he was suspended by the group, then left to sit permanently as an Independent.
The campaign involved more outright lies in an election campaign than I have seen since, ooh, let me think, May 2008. The Tories picked a well-known local man, who stands (and loses) most years. They could have tried to run a good campaign, with national material to shore them up, but no, that was too difficult for them. Reverting to Oakleyesque behaviour, they ran an election full of lies and innuendo - bad even for them.
The Tories even had to apologise yesterday for saying that the Mayor, Dorothy Thornhill had not sent a letter objecting to a local Post Office closure until three months after the consultation ended, when the covering email sent by her office with a copy of the letter requested last week expressly pointed out that it had been sent in July. The apology of course was not as prominent. They ran a horrible campaign and got exactly what they deserved!
Together with their lies about gypsy sites (in next-door, Tory-run Hertsmere), the Tories went to town blaming the LibDems for the state of the roads and pavements (of course, down to the Tory-controlled Herts County Council). Labour joined in the old pals act, fighting a seat they have held in this decade for the first time in several years.
Congrats to the whole campaigns team. This has been very hard work, but very worthwhile! In the week that Ian Oakley was sentenced, it makes it even sweeter.
1 response so far ↓
1 Cllr Allan Witherick // Oct 17, 2008 at 10:27
Drove down from work with my bicycle in the back of the car (we all know what parking can be like!) and had a great time knocking on doors.
It is sad though when other parties stoop so low. In St Albans two Tory councillors have had drink issues, including being caught drink driving, and yet they faced no disciplinary action. I guess their idea of good representation is different to ours.
Leave a Comment