The newly elected Conservative councillor in the Wyboston by-election, Julie Cox, has vowed to champion the issues of the ward to get “residents’ voices heard”.
The by-election, called after the winning Conservative candidate in May’s local elections was simultaneously elected Mayor of Bedford, saw a turn-out of 34% of the 2,860 electorate.
It has sparked some hyperbolic comments from the Conservative and LibDem groups ahead of the forthcoming Mid Bedfordshire by-election, despite a recent opinion poll pitting Labour as the favourites in Nadine Dorries’ yet-to-be-vacated seat.
In a statement, the Bedford Conservative group said: “This marks further progress and another victory for the newly elected Conservative administration at Borough Hall, and [has] added to Lib Dem woes, adding another embarrassing defeat after losing the Mayoralty and Councillors in May’s Borough Council elections.”
Meanwhile, Cllr Henry Vann, group leader of Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats, said: “The Conservatives are running scared.
“Their MP, new Mayor, and Councillors were desperately campaigning in Wyboston, their safest seat in the Borough and despite this, their majority was slashed from 722 votes to just 287.
“With this swing, we are already on track to make gains at the next local elections.”
Labour Group Leader, Cllr Carl Meader said: “Although the Tories managed to hang on to the seat, the Wyboston by-election demonstrated a dramatic fall in the Conservative Party’s vote share.
“And just this Sunday, we have seen new polling that Labour are pulling ahead of the Conservatives in Mid Bedfordshire and heading for a historic by-election result. The conclusions are clear, people want a fresh start and I for one look forward to the next General Election.
“My Labour Group continues to be focussed on working for the betterment of Bedford Borough and holding the Mayor to account.”
As referenced by Cllr Meader, a new constituency poll conducted by Opinium has revealed that Labour’s Alistair Strathern is leading the Conservatives in the Mid Bedfordshire by-election.
According to the poll, Labour’s Alistair Strathern is in top position with 28%, followed closely by the Conservatives on 24%. Independent candidate Gareth Mackay secures the third spot with 19%, while the Liberal Democrats polled 15%.
Concentrating on the local victory, Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Graeme Coombes, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Julie to the Borough Council Conservative Group.
“She’s fought a fantastic campaign and trounced the opposition parties, taking over 63% of the vote, in the face of a difficult picture nationally.
“She will be a fantastic representative for Wyboston, Roxton and the other villages in her ward and the whole Conservative Group looks forward to working with her”.
Mayor Tom Wootton also congratulated Julie on her success, saying she understands the issues faced by the ward.
“She shares my positive, can-do attitude and I am glad Wyboston residents chose a capable candidate to champion their ward,” he said.
Newly elected Cllr Cox said: “I’d like to thank all the voters of Wyboston ward for putting their faith in me as their local representative on the Borough Council.
“I look forward to championing the causes of Wyboston ward residents and making their voice heard in the Council chamber.”
