Article published in the Swindon Evening Advertiser, Saturday 3 May 2003

Farewell blue rinse, hello young Turks

Cllr's Smith, Tomlinson, Baylies & Van Roon

For years the party's support has been known as the blue rinse brigade but Thursday night's results saw four first-time Conservative councillors gain seats.

In addition, Swindon Town season ticket holder Christopher Van Roon, 23, held St Margaret ward for the Tories, to become the youngest councillor.

Mr Van Roon, who studied geography at Durham University, said: "I'm going to love the next four years. I knew I had a fighting chance"

Glenn Smith, 26, won Covingham and Nythe from the Labour group, while Laura Holiday won Walcot for the Conservatives after ousting Chris Eley in a night of surprises.

Justin Tomlinson (Con, Abbey Meads), himself just 26, is chairman of Conservative Future ­ formerly the Young Conservatives ­ and orchestrated the youngsters' campaign.

He said: "We knew we were in with a fighting chance. These youngsters took the time to talk to their electorate and that has shown in the result. It's vital that all sections of Swindon are represented in the chamber ­ and that includes the young who have often felt disenfranchised by local politics."

The Labour group threw everything at retaining St Philip ward, which was won by 26-year-old trainee legal executive Deborah Baylies, from the Labour group chairman Ray Ballman.

Ms Baylies said: "It was a very pleasant surprise, but I listened and spoke to the electorate and found out what they were concerned about."

The Tories' last gain of the night was in Wroughton and Chiseldon where Bill Morton took the seat from the Liberal Democrats.