MARCH hotelier Rob Skoulding took the long, hard route to Fenland Hall – and it paid off with a resounding victory in today’s poll.
His late father was a long standing Conservative councillor and Cabinet member but son Robert shrugged off political allegiances by standing as an independent and won the day.
“I personally do not think party politics have a place in local government,” he said. “It should be for the good of the town or district and not for the good of the party.”
Rob admitted he was a “bit nervous early on” and wondered if he had done enough to win one of the three March West seats.
“I was hoping for fourth at least so I’m absolutely delighted,” he said. “I will look at every issue and bring a commonsense outlook to them. I would like to think that I can bring some new ideas to the council.”
He added: “I will never be able to fill my dad’s shoes because he was one of a kind. “And I wouldn’t even try. I have to make my own way.
“My agent said to me that my dad would be proud today which I felt very humbled by.”
MARCH WEST
-3 seats-
Matt Broadfield (Ind) 483
Christopher Carter (Lab) 472
Stephen Court (Lib Dem) 460
Jan French (Con) 1,019
Kit Owen (Con) 1,117
Rob Skoulding (Ind) 1,082
Adam Triggs (Con) 813
Turn out: 43.25 per cent
MARCH EAST
-3 seats-
John Clark (Con) 1,154
Martin Field (Lab) 727
Bernard Keane (Con) 1,002
Reg Kemp (537)
Louis Sugden (Lab) 617
Robert Williams (Lab) 613
Fred Yeulett (Con) 914
Turn out: 38.36 per cent
MARCH NORTH
-3 seats-
Mike Cornwell (Con) 1,064
William McAdam (Lib Dem) 468
Trevor Quince (Con) 923
Matthew Routledge (Lab) 627
Peter Tunley (Con) 827
Turn out: 34.79 per cent
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