Politics
Lib-Dems claim vacant council seat
THE Liberal Democrats were victorious in yesterday's borough council by-election in Whitchurch.
Eric Dunlop was elected by 858 votes, a majority of 149 over Conservative rival Bill Judge, while Labour candidate James Gibb received 58 votes.
The turnout on the day was 42.5 per cent.
Mr Dunlop joins Councillor Keith Watts in representing Whitchurch on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, where the Conservatives maintain a one-seat majority.
The by-election was necessary following the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Alison Wall on August 20.
10:25am Friday 19th October 2007
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CommentPosted by: Robert Cooper, North Waltham on 11:35am Fri 19 Oct 07
Well done Eric. No doubt Whitchurch won’t see any Tories again until next May?
Well done Eric. No doubt Whitchurch won’t see any Tories again until next May?
Posted by: Clare Coffey, Hampshire on 2:42pm Fri 19 Oct 07
I thought that Bill ran an excellent campaign. Again he got the LibDems running scared and managed to bring down their share of the vote.
The Conservatives already have a county councillor representing Whitchurch and soon they will have a borough councillor.
I thought that Bill ran an excellent campaign. Again he got the LibDems running scared and managed to bring down their share of the vote.
The Conservatives already have a county councillor representing Whitchurch and soon they will have a borough councillor.
Posted by: Simon Preedy, Hatch Warren on 3:52pm Fri 19 Oct 07
Whilst I do not live in the Whitchurch area, I am a Conservative voter. However, I am not convinced that much has changed for the better since the Tory administration came into power and took overall control of Basingstoke & Deane; cuts in manpower for graffiti removal and their recent proposal for 448 "Micro Flats" in Gresley Road are just two examples that spring to my mind.
In a number incidents that have occurred since the Tory administration came into power, I suspect the Independent Councillors may secretly rue the day they let the Tories take overall control of our Council?!
Whilst I do not live in the Whitchurch area, I am a Conservative voter. However, I am not convinced that much has changed for the better since the Tory administration came into power and took overall control of Basingstoke & Deane; cuts in manpower for graffiti removal and their recent proposal for 448 "Micro Flats" in Gresley Road are just two examples that spring to my mind.
In a number incidents that have occurred since the Tory administration came into power, I suspect the Independent Councillors may secretly rue the day they let the Tories take overall control of our Council?!
Posted by: Alex Masterley, Whitchurch on 7:54pm Fri 19 Oct 07
Is that comment from Clare Coffey in any way connected with Therese Coffey, Chairperson of the North West Hampshire Conservatives, also of Whitchurch? Thought so. Perhaps people are getting tired of your candidate which is why his vote is down on this summer. Eric Dunlop's vote is about where John Wall and Gill Nethercott's votes were. Your man scored 150 fewer votes than he did in May.
Is that comment from Clare Coffey in any way connected with Therese Coffey, Chairperson of the North West Hampshire Conservatives, also of Whitchurch? Thought so. Perhaps people are getting tired of your candidate which is why his vote is down on this summer. Eric Dunlop's vote is about where John Wall and Gill Nethercott's votes were. Your man scored 150 fewer votes than he did in May.
Posted by: Carlos Tilbury, Overton on 9:44pm Fri 19 Oct 07
Is this another out of touch Tory leaving a silly comment? I'm not going to knock Bill as I've played tennis against him for years and hes a good sort.
Maybe Clare and Therese would like 448 micro flats, hotel, shops and offices in Whitchurch?
Bet they dont, but I bet they support the idea for Basingstoke?!
I suggest everyone watches the webcast from the last full council meeting to see how mature some of the Tory councillors where!
Is this another out of touch Tory leaving a silly comment? I'm not going to knock Bill as I've played tennis against him for years and hes a good sort.
Maybe Clare and Therese would like 448 micro flats, hotel, shops and offices in Whitchurch?
Bet they dont, but I bet they support the idea for Basingstoke?!
I suggest everyone watches the webcast from the last full council meeting to see how mature some of the Tory councillors where!
Posted by: Clare Coffey, Hampshire on 9:50am Tue 23 Oct 07
No I am not an out of touch Tory leaving a silly comment. There is no need to be vicious.
I am concerned that the LibDems are not doing enough for the people of Whitchurch.
I am not the only one in Whitchurch who feels like that regardless of the vote.
I know of ten young people who voted for Bill as they wanted a new fresh face on the Council.
Also you forget that it was Bill that fixed the bench outside the Town Hall as he got fed up with none of the Cllrs fixing it.
Also his Parish Hall campaign is gaining momentum and even Eric Dunlop signed that petition.
No I am not an out of touch Tory leaving a silly comment. There is no need to be vicious.
I am concerned that the LibDems are not doing enough for the people of Whitchurch.
I am not the only one in Whitchurch who feels like that regardless of the vote.
I know of ten young people who voted for Bill as they wanted a new fresh face on the Council.
Also you forget that it was Bill that fixed the bench outside the Town Hall as he got fed up with none of the Cllrs fixing it.
Also his Parish Hall campaign is gaining momentum and even Eric Dunlop signed that petition.
Posted by: Phil Cooper, Whitchurch on 11:03pm Wed 24 Oct 07
All that I want in Whitchurch are councillors who are actually working for the benefit of those in the town, not following party lines when it comes to take no action on the removal of subsidised bus services or printing false in formation about progress on the Town Centre Improvements' Programme - or trying to score points off each other!
All that I want in Whitchurch are councillors who are actually working for the benefit of those in the town, not following party lines when it comes to take no action on the removal of subsidised bus services or printing false in formation about progress on the Town Centre Improvements' Programme - or trying to score points off each other!
Posted by: Carlos Tilbury on 11:19pm Wed 24 Oct 07
too right Phil
We all come under the same set of councillors, we're lucky in Overton as we have two pretty good ones, please goto the B & D website and watch the webcast of last cabinet meeting to see which party was being very childish.
too right Phil
We all come under the same set of councillors, we're lucky in Overton as we have two pretty good ones, please goto the B & D website and watch the webcast of last cabinet meeting to see which party was being very childish.
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