The Liberal Democrats have secured a stunning double victory by winning two by-elections in one night in the East Riding with Group Leader declaring the result shows they are ‘seriously on the up.’
East Riding Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Denis Healy’s comments come after Tony Henderson was elected Beverley in Minster and Woodmanse and Ross Harrison elected in Tranby.
Commenting after a crushing defeat for the Tories and Labour in both ballots Cllr Healy said:
“This has been a fantastic night for the Liberal Democrats. Beating both Labour and the Conservatives in these seats shows the Lib Dems are seriously on the up in the East Riding.
“Both nationally and locally people are sick to the back teeth with the Conservatives and are backing real change with the Liberal Democrats.
“Former councillors Viv Padden and Peter Astell were such massive losses to our party and their communities. I’m so delighted to welcome Tony and Ross to the Lib Dem team. They’ll both be fantastic local champions for their communities and will make a real difference at County Hall.”
Cllr Henderson and Cllr Harrison both polled over 50% of the vote as residents sent a crystal clear message to both Conservative and Labour.
On being elected Cllr Henderson said;
“I’m just thrilled to have been chosen to serve the community I love. Thank you to everyone who’s sent messages of support over recent weeks and of course to everyone who voted. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into my new role.”
Cllr Harrison is also looking forward to getting work in the community. He said;
“What I heard on the doorsteps was the immense respect local people have for their Lib Dem councillors Margot Sutton and the late Viv Padden, as well as their predecessors including the long-serving Mary-Rose Hardy.
“It’s an honour to follow in their footsteps and I can’t wait to repay the faith local people have put in me from the Lib Dem benches at County Hall.”
The Lib Dems vote share increased while Labour and the Tories were finished way behind. The elections were called following the loss Lib Dem councillors Viv Padden and Pete Astell, who died on the same day in December 2023.
These emphatic results come on the back of Hull Lib Dems gaining a seat from Labour in Avenue ward earlier in February.
This victory ensures the Lib Dems are within just a handful of seats of taking control of the Council from the ruling Conservatives. Labour remains stuck on just five councillors across the entire East Riding.
Minster & Woodmansey Result was:
LDEM: 50.7% (+8.6)
CON: 24.9% (-1.9)
LAB: 17.4% (-9.4)
GRN: 7.0% (+7.0)
Valid votes cast: 2,837
TranbyResult was:
LDEM: 55.3% (+4.4)
LAB: 23.6% (+2.7)
CON: 15.5% (-4.2)
GRN: 5.6% (-2.9)
Valid votes cast: 1,731
