Election Results, 2015
There is no doubt that the Election produced very painful results for the Liberal Democrats across the country, with many very good MPs and councillors losing their seats. However we live to fight another day, will work to promote our values, and stand up where we can for the principles we believe in. If you want to join us in this, please read the message at the end of this posting.
Locally, the Parliamentary election produced a Labour MP in Stockton North and a Conservative one in Stockton South.
Stockton North:
BOYLETT, Mandy UKIndependence Party (UKIP) 7581
CUNNINGHAM, Alex Labour 19436
DANIELS, Chris The Conservative Party 11069
SYCAMORE, Anthony Liberal Democrats 884
TAIT, John North East Party 601
Stockton South:
BALDOCK Louise Labour and Co-operative Party 19,175
DURNING Drew Liberal Democrats 1,366
LOVELL Jacqui The Green Party 952
STRIKE Ted UKIndependence Party (UKIP) 5,480
WALMSLEY Steve Independents Against Social Injustice 603
WHARTON James Stephen The Conservative Party 24,221
Following the count, Drew Durning said "Liberal values are still needed as much as ever. Despite such disappointing results the spirit of Liberalism will not die. We might be down, but we're not out!"
Anthony Sycamore gave the following statement:
"Prevented by pre-existing commitments from participating in the campaign as much I would have wished, I can only admire and thank the party faithful for the commitment and work they have shown. I would particularly like to thank my agent John Fletcher and the candidate for Stockton South, Drew Durning, for the help and support they have given.
This election will surely highlight the absurdity of the current electoral system, which gives very little representation for parties with significant support such as the Greens and UKIP, however much I may disagree with their views, and yet is capable of returning almost exclusively separatist MPs for a Scotland which so recently convincingly rejected independence."
Local Elections
In Stockton Council elections we also had a very disappointing day. Despite hard work by many of our members in the campaign we lost the two seats we had previously held in Eaglescliffe and lost Elliot Kennedy from Bishopsgarth and Elm Tree, leaving Julia Cherrett as our sole councillor, with a majority of just 8 votes. Julia will continue to represent the people of Bishopsgarth and Elm Tree ward on Stockton Council.
Following the election results Baroness Sal Brinton, President of the Liberal Democrats, said:
"Theresa May's announcement today that the Tories want to immediately re-introduce the snoopers charter shows how important it is that the Liberal Democrats exist to defend our most fundamental freedoms. We must be out there campaigning to stop this.
I've been a member of the Liberal Democrats for over four decades, and the one thing that I've learned is that despite our size, despite the challenges we face, we hold together. We will grow again both in local government and in Parliament.
Our symbol, the bird of liberty, is also our phoenix. Since midnight last night to teatime today more than 650 people have joined the party on our website. The phoenix is already rising from the ashes of last night's elections."
Since that statement the number of people joining the party since the polls closed on Thursday has risen to 4000. Some of them have been in Stockton. Welcome to our new members. If you'd like to join us and be part of the renewal of our party, click here. You'll get a very warm welcome in Stockton.