LABOUR has won a by-election in Norreys East, giving them their first seat on Wokingham Town Council.
Abby Tebboth’s victory follows on from the party’s gain in Norreys at the borough elections, where Rachel Burgess stormed to victory, unseating former Conservative deputy leader David Lee in the process.
The town council by-election was held after former town mayor Peter Lucey resigned following allegations that he had been sharing extremist views on social media.
Cllr Tebboth secured more than 47% of the vote. Her 607 votes was more than the 449 votes that Daniel Clawson won to achieve second place. He had 35% share of the vote.
In third place was Liberal Democrat candidate Morgan Rise, who scooped 181 votes and a 14% share. Independent candidate Stephen Carpenter had just 50 votes, a 4% share.
The turnout was 30% and there were two spoilt ballot papers.
The results were counted in Wokingham Borough Council’s Shute End offices.
Cllr Tebboth said: “I’m absolutely delighted. I’m really looking forward to representing the people of Norreys East.
“People voted Labour as they were looking for a fresh perspective.”
Earlier in the day, Reading East MP Matt Rodda paid a visit to the ward to lend his support to Cllr Tebboth’s campaign.
Great to be able to support Abby Tebboth in Wokingham Town Council by-election today @WokinghamLabour @ReadingLabour @Earley_Labour @WokinghamLabour @ashleypearce84 @KarenRowlandRDG @jeremycorbyn pic.twitter.com/lLxI3WLGrt
— Matt Rodda (@MattRodda) June 21, 2018
Earlier in the campaign, Wokingham Conservatives leader Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor had also been out supporting her candidate, Daniel Clawson.
https://twitter.com/DanClawson2018/status/1006631564976033793
For the full story and reaction, see The Wokingham Paper next week.
