Lib Dems secure hard fought by-election victory

10.50.07am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 21st Aug 2006

New councillor Peter Gardiner is congratulated by Menzies Campbell.

Local Lib Dems are celebrating victory in the Ouse Valley and Ringmer ward District Council by-election after Thursday's by-election. Lib Dem candidate Peter Gardiner won with 715 votes, 44% of those cast, giving him a 200 vote majority over the second-placed Tory candidate.

An unusually high turnout of 33% was welcomed by the Lib Dems as people turned out in large numbers to take part in the democratic process. The result showed that people in Ringmer, South Heighton, Glynde, Firle, Beddingham and elsewhere want a strong voice to represent them on important issues such as the Plashett reservoir, South Heighton post office, Newhaven incinerator, and Beddingham flyover.

Newly-elected councillor, Peter Gardiner, said of the victory: "I am delighted with the outcome. It was a fair and clean campaign in which all participants worked hard. I am looking forward to representing all residents in the ward and want them to feel free to approach me with any issues that they feel I can be of assistance with.

"I will continue to oppose the reservoir at Plashett and the vote once again vindicated our position as the only party opposed to the Newhaven incinerator. I will work to do everything I can to get a new post office for South Heighton. I received a positive reception on doorsteps across the ward during the campaign and hope that I will meet with many more residents in the coming months."

Notes:

Election result- LD(715), Con(521), Sea(359), Lab(41) Turnout - 1643 (33.41%)

LD gain from Independent

Swing 5.7% Con to LD