Liberal Democrats are celebrating today following two victories at yesterday’s elections for Wokingham borough council and Earley town council.
The elections were called following the death of Conservative Norman Jorgensen earlier this year.
Shortly after 1am this morning (Friday), Liberal Democrat Mike Smith was declared the winner of the Maiden Erlegh & Whitegates ward election for Wokingham borough council, having received 1,028 votes – equal to 31.2% share of the vote.
Andy Croy (Labour) finished second with 793 votes, five votes ahead of Guy Grandison, the Conservative candidate, who polled 788 votes.
Andrew Harris (Reform) got 486 votes, Samuel Langlois (Green) recorded 180 votes, and Sara Gillman (Trade Union and Socialist) polled 17 votes.
A turnout of 39.95% was recorded.
The result means the Liberal Democrats now have a majority of councillors on Wokingham borough council.
Cllr Stephen Conway, the Liberal Democrat leader of Wokingham borough council, was understandably delighted with the result.
Moments after the declaration at Shute End, he told Wokingham Today: “This is a great night for us.
“The Liberal Democrats have been running a minority administration for three years; the council has been in no overall control. Wokingham borough council is now a Liberal Democrat controlled council.
“For a party that’s three years into running the council to win a seat from the principal opposition party is quite an achievement.
“I would like to say a personal best wishes to Pauline Jorgensen (leader of the Conservative group on Wokingham borough council), who has obviously lost her husband, and it’s her husband’s death that’s caused this by election.
“Pauline has behaved with great dignity. She’s been very generous, and I feel we must show her all due respect in these difficult circumstances.”
Asked whether he saw the win as an endorsement for what the council has been doing, he said: “I’d like to think so.
“I think we’ve done our very best in really difficult and challenging financial circumstances, to make sure the council has robust finances, is able to continue working for the future and for the benefit of our residents.”
Winning candidate Mike Smith was equally pleased. He told Wokingham Today: “We’ve had a fantastic team effort here, and it’s really worked well for us.”
Asked what his new constituents can expect from him, he said: “I’ve said to many of them that I want to make sure Earley’s voice is heard in Wokingham loud and clear.
“I want to make sure that we’ve protected all the lovely green spaces in Earley, and also try to do something about speeding and inconsiderate parking,
“Those are the big issues that have come up on the doorstep.
“Lots of people brought up national issues, but this is a local election.
“I can’t solve national issues, but I will do my best to work for all of the residents in Earley, regardless of who voted for me.”
Earlier Alison Newton (Liberal Democrat) recorded 184 votes, and was declared the winner for the Redhatch ward by-election for Earley town council.
The turnout for that vote was 41.75%.
