The Basildon Lib Dems have successfully defended one of their council seats in Nethermayne ward in a by-election yesterday. The result was:
LD Phil Jenkins 605
Lab 461
Tory 372
Ukip 280
BNP 70
Ind 18
Turnout 20.4%
There’s an interesting write-up on the Echo website tonight, especially in the comment by someone who clearly doesn’t like the Conservative – Liberal Democrat Coalition in parliament, but still respects the Basildon Lib Dems:
“I don’t mean this in an offensive way but you obviously don’t live in the Nethermayne ward Colleen, or you would understand why this has happened. Forget about central government and the treacheries of this coalition fiasco, it’s all about local issues and helping local people. The Lib Dems are very hands on in Nethermayne and have backed and assisted local people for many years. Issues that spring to mind are the fight against the development of Eastley Park and Dry Street. I no longer live there, but my parents still do and I can assure you that the only political party interested and willing to get involved in local issues, no matter how big or small are the Libs Dems. Pity the Lib Dem big boys can’t take some of these values and work ethics on board.”
To get such praise from someone so anti-coalition is praise indeed!
Congrats to Basildon…..
It’s also worth noting that the B NP only got 3 percent of the vote….