Conservative candidate Ken Maddock was victorious in the by-election held on 6th October for the Butleigh and Baltonsborough seat on Mendip District Council. The margin of Ken’s victory may have been small, just four votes, but it was hugely significant is sending a message to the Lib Dems that they cannot expect to continue their run of recent successes in the South West.
Ken’s campaign team, effectively and tirelessly organised by Constituency Campaign Manager Amy Green, canvassed and delivered in every street, avenue, close and lane in this mainly rural Ward of over twenty square miles. Huge thanks are therefore extended to not only the Somerton and Frome members and supporters who came out to help but also to the many colleagues who came from outside our own constituency, including Somerset Councillor Faye Purbrick from Yeovil, South West Region Chairman Julian Ellacott, South Gloucestershire MP Luke Hall, Police & Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford and ex-South West MEP Sir Ashley Fox. Our grateful thanks to each and every one of you.
The turn-out in this by-election was 781; that’s 39% of the local electorate which is an exceptionally high figure for a by-election in a rural Ward. Even though Somerset’s District Councils will be handing over their responsibilities to the county’s new Unitary Council on 1st April 2023, this election was nevertheless seen as a significant test of political wills and we knew that the Lib Dems would throw everything at it to maintain their regional momentum. The result could not have been tighter, but a win is a win. Well done Ken!
