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Graham Jones · 18-03-2005, 15:33

BLOODY HELL, THOSE LITTLE BOXES TO TYPE IN.... SHOULD READ....

Last night [Thurs] the Labour Party won the Rishton by-election, the Conservatives second safest seat [after Baxenden] in Hyndburn at the last May local elections by just 3 votes after several recounts, electing in the process Britains youngest Councillor.

There was a large 8% swing from the Conservatives who polled 61% in May but only 45% last night to the Lib Dems and Labour. Labour's victory overturning a 400 vote defeat 10 months previous. [Put in perspective Labour safest seat has a winning margin of 400 and would be described at the moment as 'statistically unloseable']

The result was
Bill Greene Lib Dem 139
Claire Hamilton Labour 759
Stan Horne Con 756

turnout 32.5% [historically good for a local by-election]

It was an extra special night that produced 2 hours of high drama & tension in the old church hall at St Peters. The room full of councillors from either side with hopes and expectations. Given the state of the Borough the stakes are so much higher.

It all strated very badly for Labour, the first box opened included the votes of the Esplanade and Blackburn Road area and was predominently Conservative. The first news had 350 Con to 100 Lab and everything looked desperately gloomy. Labour downbeat, Conservatives upbeat. Enter the Leader of the Council Peter Britcliffe at this stage, all smiles and happpiness alongside the candidate to join the 20 odd councillors present, the Tory general election candidate and others of one persuasion or another.

The second box from below the Bridge was mostly Labour, but at 450 Con 350 Labour it still seemed odds on the usual Conservative win. As the third box from Station Rd and around the golf club was opened the unbelievable happened and it was 650 650, neck and neck.

By the last vote it 750 750 in piles of 50's, but no one knew how many were in the last pile for each party. Labour by 6, Conservatives by 20, Labour by 10 Conservatives by 5. A lot of fingernail chewing.

A recount was ordered producing one extra Labour vote and two extra Conservative votes. Candidates were whisked away to be spoken to quietly by election officers, the Labour candidate looked gloomy and the Conservative happy.

Another recount was asked with whispers of a Labour majority of just 3. The Lib Dem votes were rechecked.

As the last recount was taken, no new votes were being found and it was just left to returning officer to announce the result to a very loud cheer and to make that historical announcement. The youngest councillor in Britain has just been elected to Hyndburn Borough Council. Good luck Claire!

The Council is now 19 Con 16 Labour

18-03-2005, 15:33	#2
Graham Jones I am Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 279 Liked: 0 times Rep Power: 0	Re: Britains Youngest Councillor BLOODY HELL, THOSE LITTLE BOXES TO TYPE IN.... SHOULD READ.... Last night [Thurs] the Labour Party won the Rishton by-election, the Conservatives second safest seat [after Baxenden] in Hyndburn at the last May local elections by just 3 votes after several recounts, electing in the process Britains youngest Councillor. There was a large 8% swing from the Conservatives who polled 61% in May but only 45% last night to the Lib Dems and Labour. Labour's victory overturning a 400 vote defeat 10 months previous. [Put in perspective Labour safest seat has a winning margin of 400 and would be described at the moment as 'statistically unloseable'] The result was Bill Greene Lib Dem 139 Claire Hamilton Labour 759 Stan Horne Con 756 turnout 32.5% [historically good for a local by-election] It was an extra special night that produced 2 hours of high drama & tension in the old church hall at St Peters. The room full of councillors from either side with hopes and expectations. Given the state of the Borough the stakes are so much higher. It all strated very badly for Labour, the first box opened included the votes of the Esplanade and Blackburn Road area and was predominently Conservative. The first news had 350 Con to 100 Lab and everything looked desperately gloomy. Labour downbeat, Conservatives upbeat. Enter the Leader of the Council Peter Britcliffe at this stage, all smiles and happpiness alongside the candidate to join the 20 odd councillors present, the Tory general election candidate and others of one persuasion or another. The second box from below the Bridge was mostly Labour, but at 450 Con 350 Labour it still seemed odds on the usual Conservative win. As the third box from Station Rd and around the golf club was opened the unbelievable happened and it was 650 650, neck and neck. By the last vote it 750 750 in piles of 50's, but no one knew how many were in the last pile for each party. Labour by 6, Conservatives by 20, Labour by 10 Conservatives by 5. A lot of fingernail chewing. A recount was ordered producing one extra Labour vote and two extra Conservative votes. Candidates were whisked away to be spoken to quietly by election officers, the Labour candidate looked gloomy and the Conservative happy. Another recount was asked with whispers of a Labour majority of just 3. The Lib Dem votes were rechecked. As the last recount was taken, no new votes were being found and it was just left to returning officer to announce the result to a very loud cheer and to make that historical announcement. The youngest councillor in Britain has just been elected to Hyndburn Borough Council. Good luck Claire! The Council is now 19 Con 16 Labour Last edited by Graham Jones; 19-03-2005 at 07:47.