Conservative candidate Andy Ward has been declared the winner of yesterday’s by-election in the Primrose Bridge parish ward of Bradley Stoke.
Mr Ward, with 387 votes, finished ahead of Caroline Sullivan (UKIP), with 269 votes, and Sarah Drake (Liberal Democrat), with 160.
The Labour Party, which fielded a full set of candidates for the four-seat ward in 2011, did not contest the by-election.
With 3,419 people entitled to vote, the turnout was 24.3%.
Winning candidate Andy Ward told The Journal:
“I am honoured to have won the election and look forward to serving the community of Bradley Stoke. I have been privileged to meet some wonderful local people during my campaign.”
“I would like to say a big thank you to all my family and friends who have been so supportive and also to all the Conservative councillors, team members and supporters who took me under their wing and helped me.”
Speaking for the Filton and Bradley Stoke (FABS) branch of UKIP, Cllr Ben Walker said:
“UKIP FABS are really pleased with the result, albeit second and would like to thank all those residents who supported us and Caroline, a fantastic candidate.”
“Once again, the result shows we are the party of opposition and we will continue to contest seats when required and look forward to the 2015 elections. As our support grows, so does our party machine which will make all the difference to the results of those elections.”
Third-placed Liberal Democrat candidate Sarah Drake said:
“I would like to extend my congratulations to Andy for winning the election and to wish him luck in his new role.”
“I would also like to congratulate Caroline on a good campaign.”
For myself, I would like to thank everyone who supported and voted for me.”
The by-election result leaves the political make-up of Bradley Stoke Town Council unchanged – with 12 Conservative members and three from UKIP.
More info: Primrose Bridge By-election 2013 (The Journal)
Photo: Winning candidate Andy Ward (left) pictured with Conservative colleagues Cllr Tom Aditya and Cllr John Ashe after the by-election result was announced.
I would say the winner was actually voter apathy, a turnout of 24% shows how disengaged the local electorate are with those who seek to serve. I voted but many didn’t, so why not?
The Tories who came canvassing didn’t even understand the differnce between debt and deficit and maintained that the roads in our area were fine, potholes were being filled and traffic congestion was under control!
The shenanigans at local, county and national level by politicians of all parties who treat us with utter contempt using their position to often feather their own nest rather than represent the wishes of their voters is now coming back to haunt them.
There’s going to be a massive shift in politics in the next decade, we are fed up with self-serving career politicians who have little or no real world experience.
Ignore the electorate at your peril!
Interesting, despite Bradley Stoke having had two ward elections since last year we still don’t have an elected UKIP Councillor – we do have three UKIP Councillors who used to be Tories, were voted as Tories but still think it is ok to change party and not offer the electorate a choice. Democracy?
If a councillor decides to change party then they should forfeit their seat. If a voted in councillor decided to change to BNP then I’m sure there would be uproar why should it be any different if they switch to UKIP?