Election results summary and a couple more events

05/09/2009

Hi all -

Just a quick and slightly sleepy update with the Broxtowe results. I'll be discussing the wider national issues on the Today programme on Radio 4 tomorrow at 830ish.

Broadly, the picture was a huge slump in turnout almost everywhere, especially affecting Labour here as elsewhere. The Labour vote in every electoral division fell; so, interestingly, did the Conservative vote, with a single exception (Beeston South and Attenborough, where it rose by 5 votes). Only one seat in the constituency changed hands and it was that one: Labour's vote fell just 2% here, but it was enough for a Tory majority of 189, so Eric Kerry took the seat from Pat Lally.

The other nail-biter was Nuthall, where the absence of Labour and LibDem candidates enabled Independent Sue Wildey to put on over 600 votes, but Conservative councillor Philip Owen dropped just 143 votes, enabling him to squeeze home by 1752 to 1741 after threee recounts.

Everyone else was confirmed in the previous seats that their parties held, with the LibDems gaining Eastwood in neighbouring Ashfield constituency. Contrary to expectations, the smaller parties failed to make significant headway, the best result being UKIP's 786 in Toton and Chilwell (a quarter of the winning Tory score).

You can see the full results for your area here:

http://www.nottingh amshire.gov. uk/home/your_ council/councile lections/ electionresults. htm

Congratulations to the winners (and to Notts Conservatives who look poised to take control of the County), commiserations to the losers,
and at a personal level I'd say that in particular to Pat Lally, a
hard-working councillor who lost his seat due (in my view) to
annoyance with events in Westminster over which he had no control:
some of his voters abstained or voted Green in protest, and it
was just enough to lose.

I've also been asked to pass on these snippets:

COSSALL OPEN GARDENS SUN JUNE 14 1-5pm. in your next email letter. An annual event to raise essential funds to help maintain our ancient church and old school hall.

CHILWELL COLLEGE HOUSE CARNIVAL 20th June 1.30pm-5pm
College House Junior School, Cator Lane
Adults £1, Under 12's 50p
Sorry, no dogs

Birds of Prey, Climbing Tower, Car Boot Sale, BBQ, Strawberries &
Cream, Refreshments, Toys, Bric-Brac, Games, Tombola, Children's Rides.

Apart from the radio interview, a surgery and the Hemlock Happening tomorrow, I plan to put my feet up for a non-political weekend after quite a lively fortnight, so please forgive any slightly delayed responses!

Best regards

Nick