Great Results in By-Elections (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Great Results in By-Elections

June 27, 2003 12:00 AM

Islington Liberal Democrats are celebrating strengthening their position yet further as Labour were humiliated in two important by-elections this week. In a particularly stunning byelection win in Barnsbury ward, Emma Gowers, the Liberal Democrat candidate, romped home winning 940 votes, more than three times the number of votes for Labour, who trailed in at just at 311 votes - one of the worst defeats Labour has suffered in living memory. In Hillrise ward Fiona Dunlop for the Lib Dems doubled the majority over veteran former Labour Councillor Alan Clinton, winning the backing of 983 residents to Labour's 789. The Labour Party were hoping to win in Hillrise but in fact went backwards rather than forwards in this former safe Labour heartland. In both wards third and fourth places were taken by the Green and Conservative parties. In May 2002 the Lib Dems won 38 seats on the Council, to just 10 for Labour. Bucking the trend of an expected normal mid-term vote, this week they have won even more convincingly than a year ago. The clear victory in Barnsbury puts Lib Dem candidate Bridget Fox on course to win Chris Smith's former seat of Islington South & Finsbury at the General Election expected in 2005. Barnsbury ward is Bridget's home ward and Labour do not know who their candidate will be. The increasing Lib Dem share of the vote in Hillrise - an area Labour has always previously taken for granted - also puts Laura Willoughby, Lib Dem candidate for Islington North, in a very strong position to challenge sitting MP Jeremy Corbyn. Councillor Steve Hitchins, Leader of the Liberal Democrats said: "It is very good news for the people of both Barnsbury and Hillrise that they have elected two new energetic local councillors who will work hard to deliver what people want. The Liberal Democrat councillors are very grateful for this vote of confidence but are also aware just how much more has to be done to give people the services they deserve. "This is a clear endorsement of the ambitious plans we are putting into place to improve the Council. "The opinion which matters to us is that of the people of Islington, and they have spoken loud and clear" Newly-elected Councillor Fiona Dunlop (Hillrise) said "I have lived on the Elthorne Estate for many years and it will be a great honour to represent it on the Council. The Lib Dems are making exciting changes to Islington and I am very pleased to have the chance to represent the people of Hillrise as they develop. Councillor Emma Gowers (Barnsbury) said "This is a stunning victory, and a real endorsement from the people of Barnsbury for what the Liberal Democrats are doing. As Chair of the Early Years Partnership, now that I have been elected to the Council I hope to help the Partnership work even more closely with the Council to provide every child in Islington with the best possible start in life." The results Hillrise Fiona Dunlop (Lib Dem) 983 votes - elected Alan Clinton (Lab) 789 votes Michael Holloway (Green Party) 239 votes John Wilkin (Con) 62 votes Electorate = 7983 no. of ballot papers counted = 2082 Percentage Poll = 26.08% Barnsbury Emma Gowers (Lib Dem) 940 votes - elected Joseph Simpson (Lab) 311 votes Nicholas Millwood (Con) 182 votes Ben Mulvey (Green Party) 136 votes Electorate = 7611 no. of ballot papers counted = 1574 Percentage Poll = 20.68% For more information, click: Hillrise result declaration (pdf file - 53kb) Barnsbury result declaration (pdf file - 52kb)