Lib Dems increase support in Town Centre

11.40.37pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 5th May 2006

Election Count

Swindon Liberal Democrats have enjoyed a huge boost of support in the town centre ward of Eastcott at the local elections on May 4th. They held the seat with a strong majority which saw the Tories collapse to a shocking third place after Labour.

But it was the only good news for Liberal Democrats on a night that Swindon Tories confirmed their hold on the Council with 40 of the 59 seats. Labour lost three seats, whilst the Lib Dems lost two seats.

Newly elected Cllr Dave Wood said:

"Firstly I want to thank everybody in the Eastcott ward for investing their confidence in me. It is a great honour to be chosen as the representative of my fellow residents on the council.

Cllr Wood and Cllr Wiltshire in residents parking zone

"Our campaign was positive and was received well on the doorstep. But one key issue that was the focus from the early days of the campaign was the great sense of betrayal by the Tory administration who doubled the cost of resident parking fees. The Eastcott election was a referendum on residents parking'

This election saw Lib Dems surge to a 700 vote majority, with the Tories collapsing to third place after Labour.

Cllr Wood continued:

"Last year the Tories came second, just 524 votes behind us Liberal Democrats. But this year the Tory support collapsed."

Cllr Stan Pajak said:

"The result in Eastcott is extremely pleasing and shows that our year-round work is recognised by residents. We fielded some extremely strong candidates in this years Borough elections who would have been an asset to aid recovery of the Council after a couple of wasted decades of Labour mismanagement. Results in the rest of the borough have been disappointing for us despite some strong campaigning.

Stan added:

"I want to put on record my appreciation of all the Lib Dem candidates who fought fair election campaigns.

"But the votes on the Election Day have mirrored those around the country of an anti-Blair vote. This election has been all about opposition to the Blair government. The Conservatives picked up the protest vote in Swindon."

Swindon Borough Council now has 40 Tories, Labour 14, Liberal Democrats 3 and Independents 2.

Related Link:

Biography of your Liberal Democrat councillors.