Fenland District Council election 2015: Comments from some of the elected candidates

Fred Yeulett (Con) – March East: “I am looking forward to serving March East ward again. Thank you to everybody including the returning officer for your hard work.”

John Clark (Con) – March East: “I would like to quote one John Elworthy (editor) who said on his Twitter this morning: ‘I have to say the @FenlandCouncil team on duty have been nothing short of magnificent. Tough lot in the Fens.’

“I think the result is a reflection of the General Election. We weren’t expecting to experience this afternoon what we have. The whip tells me we have more seats now than we had going into the election.”

When asked if he will carry on as leader of the council, Cllr Clark said: “It would be up to the group to decide whether I carry on as leader on Thursday, but anyone can put their name forward.

“It’s a discussion I need to have with my wife,” before deciding the answer is yes.

Cllr Clark also said: “I think it’s going to be a difficult four years with difficult decisions to be made. The budget has been cut by £8million and we can expect that to be cut even more.”

Sarah Bligh (Con) – Parson Drove and Wisbech St Mary: “I am completely unprepared. I didn’t expect this to go my way.

“I would like to thank everyone who helped me, especially Steve Tierney and Chris Boden for putting up with my questions, whether stupid or not, my husband who helped with leaflets, staff who have done a brilliant job and the candidates for a brilliant fight.”

Gavin Booth (Lib De) – Parson Drove and Wisbech St Mary: “It’s a very humble moment to have been elected by so many people in the ward. Politicians should remember the trust that people put in them.”

David Mason (Con) – St Andrews: “I would like to thank the returning officer and hard-working staff today. Thanks to my campaign manager and to the fellow candidates who fought a clean fight. Thank you very much.”

Michelle Tanfield (Con) – Elm and Christchurch: “Thank you everybody here, you have done an excellent job. I’m sure everyone is feeling exhausted. Thank you to everyone who helped my campaign. We have worked really well as a team.”

Will Sutton (Con) – Elm and Christchurch: “I would like to reiterate what Michelle has said. We have some very good helpers within the party and of course our families.

“Both Michelle’s family and my family have worked hard. Michelle forgot to thank her family but she’s always got me as a back-up!”

Steve Count (Con) – March North: “It’s been an incredibly long night. I would like to thank the people of March North who have given me the opportunity to serve the community for another four years. Thank you.”

Mike Cornwell (Con) – March North: “I would just like to repeat what Steve (Coun) has said. Thanks to all the voters.”

Samantha Clark (Con) – Roman Bank: “Thank you to all the team and everyone who helped support us during the campaign. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to represent Roman Bank once again.”

Dee Laws (Con) – Stonald: “Thanks to the Conservative branch in Whittlesey, particularly Ray Whitwell, the returning officers and everybody in this room and more who have given hours of work and who are suffering from a lack of sleep.

“I intend to represent Stonald ward as I have done before.”