STRATTON - Conservative Landslide Win In Stratton By-Election

Stratton St. Margaret By-Election - 30th January 2003

Tory landslide in Stratton St Margaret by-election

Ray Fisher, Conservative - 814 (52.5%)

Pat Spry, Labour - 409 (26.5%)

Kate Pajak, Lib Dem 258 (16.5%)

Steven Ogborne, UKIP - 69 (4.5%)

A delighted Ray Fisher has been elected to represent the residents of Stratton St. Margaret.

In a keenly contested by-election, with all three parties fielding strong campaigns, Ray managed to secure a straggering 52.5% of the vote, which was more votes than all the other candidates put together.

This defeat was a major blow for both Labour and the Lib Dems. 

For Labour this was the first public test of Cllr Kevin Small's time as Leader of the Council, and as their campaign co-ordinator will no doubt be extremely worried about the size of defeat with the May elections only months away.

The Lib Dems, who do not have a single Councillor in North Swindon had high hopes of securing a win, but despite a high profile campaign they were unable to make an impact with the Stratton voters.  Currenly all 8 Lib Dem Councillors are from wards in South Swindon.

The election of Ray has now reduced Labour's majority on the Council to just 5.  (Labour 28 Councillors, Conservative 23 and Lib Dems 8).

Ray would like to thank everyone who has both voted for him, and helped during the election campaign.  Ray is extremely pleased to have been elected, and is looking forward to representing the residents of Stratton in the Swindon Council Chamber.