Conservatives narrowly hold town seat
DESPITE having their majority slashed enormously, the Conservatives today held on to a vital council seat in Felixstowe.The party's majority fell from around 800 at the last election to just 62 votes.
Richard Cornwell
DESPITE having their majority slashed enormously, the Conservatives today held on to a vital council seat in Felixstowe.
The party's majority fell from around 800 at the last election to just 62 votes.
Graham Newman won the seat on the town council with 535 votes, with Liberal Democrat Bernard Price second with 473, and independent Gillian Mason third with 404.
The by-election in east ward was called following the death of former mayor and county council chairman Ann Rodwell.
There was a 45 per cent turn-out.
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Mrs Mason, a member of the Save Felixstowe Countryside group campaigning against the building of houses on Greenfield sites on the edge of the town, said: “The Conservatives won by 62 votes - a hollow 'victory' compared to the last election in east ward which they won by more than 800.
“In achieving 404 votes of my own, I am extremely satisfied that I managed to raise the profile of the 'housing on fields' issue.
“In voting for me, a large number of people in east ward have given a clear message which the newly elected councillor would be wise to take back to his party.”
RESULT:
Elected: Graham Newman (C) 535; Bernard Price (Lib Dem) 473; Gillian Mason (Ind) 404; Harriet Bennett (Lab) 84.
