Here we Flo again
FLORENCE Newell is a Fenland District Councillor again following a comprehensive victory in a Chatteris by-election. It was a quick return to the district scene for Chatteris Town Council chairman Mrs Newell, after losing the Wenneye ward seat in Chatteri
FLORENCE Newell is a Fenland District Councillor again following a comprehensive victory in a Chatteris by-election.
It was a quick return to the district scene for Chatteris Town Council chairman Mrs Newell, after losing the Wenneye ward seat in Chatteris to Councillor Peter Murphy in the 2003 elections.
The Conservative candidate polled 259 of the votes cast at the Kingsfield Primary School, beating Liberal Democrat candidate Chris Howes, who polled 194 votes.
It was the first time Cllr Newell had stood for the Conservatives following her defection from the Liberal Democrats three months ago.
After hearing the result last Thursday night, Cllr Newell said: "I would just like to thank all of my team. They have been absolutely fantastic and I can not thank them enough."
The result saw the Conservatives retain the Slade Lode seat, which became vacant following the death of Councillor Peter Dickinson in May.
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But the seat will again be contested next May when Fenland District Council elections take place.
Chatteris Town Councillor Howes congratulated Cllr Newell on her success and later said: "We are very heartened by the strength of our vote.
"For one of the most Conservative councils in the country it is a very strong result. We look forward to doubling our effort for next year.
"I have certainly been very pleased by the civility with which everybody has conducted themselves on election day."
Meanwhile, two vacancies were also filled on Chatteris Town Council.
Conservative candidate Richard Skeggs, owner of the Cross Keys Hotel, was elected to the Slade Lode ward after polling 235 votes cast, compared to Liberal Democrat candidate Adrian Veater's 205.
But it was not all gloom for the Liberal Democrats, who took the vacant Birch ward seat with Cllr Howes' partner, Christine Colbert, winning the seat with 243 votes against 153 for Daphne Fuller (Conservative).
Turnout for both Slade Lode ward elections was 26.72 per cent, while 22.02 per cent of voters turned up in the Birch ward election.
District council leader Councillor Geoff Harper was delighted with the result and said: "Fenland remains a Liberal Democrat-free zone.
