‘RESULT SHOWS PEOPLE ARE STILL PUTTING THEIR FAITH IN THEIR LABOUR COUNCIL’
By-election win for Lauren, 28
LABOUR’S electoral resurgence in Stoke-on-trent has continued with victory in a council by-election.
Lauren Davison is the newest elected member on Stoke-on-trent City Council after retaining the Meir North seat for Labour.
She received 469 votes, comfortably ahead of second place independent candidate Michelle Swift, who received 216, and third place Khawar Ali, of the Conservatives, who got 185 votes. The turnout was 17.61 per cent.
The by-election was called following the resignation of the previous Labour ward councillor Desiree Elliott, right, in March. Ms Elliott had retained the seat for Labour in last year’s local elections as her party took back control of the city council after eight years in opposition.
Ms Davison has paid tribute to her predecessor and said the result shows that people still have faith in Labour, a year after the party’s victory in the council elections.
The 28-year-old said: “Des has been amazing. She has introduced me to so many people, I couldn’t have done it without her and the rest of the team. So I really hope to build upon what she’s achieved. I think this result shows that people are still putting their faith in their Labour council that they voted for a year ago. They know we’re making the right choices for their interests. I will be standing up for everyone in Meir North and making sure they get their share of Labour’s plan that we’re putting forward on the council. I’m going to be there when they need me and doing my best to stand up for them.”
Council and Labour group leader Jane Ashworth believes the result shows that voters are still backing her party in Stoke-on-trent, despite the authority’s financial difficulties. The government recently agreed to provide the city council with £42.2 million of ‘exceptional financial support’ to help it recover.
Ms Ashworth said: “On the doorstep it was pretty clear that many, many voters knew that the problems that the council has financially are not of Labour’s making. That message was clearly understood. The truth is that life in Meir for many people can be very difficult. It’s our obligation and intention to improve the quality of life, which we hope to do over the next three years and justify their continued faith in us.”
Following the by-election, Labour are now back up to 29 seats. The Conservatives have 14 seats, and there is one City Independent councillor.