Magnificent WIN for Pat Webster in By-Election

Pat Webster would like to thank all who supported her in the by-election, both voters and helpers alike. "This magnificent win would not have been possible without each and every one of you" she said.

Details of the result of the West Sussex CC by-election for Cuckfield Rural division.

Pat Webster (Liberal Democrat) 1027 (51.8%)

Peter Jones (Conservative) 954 (48.2%)

Liberal Democrat Majority 73 with a Turnout of 24.7%

There was of course no Labour candidate after their intended candidate and family signed the Tory nomination papers!

[The vote share when last contested in 2001 had been Con 52.2% Lib Dem 29.2% Labour 18.6%]

Serena Tierney, the Mid-Sussex Lib Dems Parliamentary Spokesperson said after the result was announced "One of the last Tory strongholds in Mid Sussex falls to the Lib Dems. The rural heartland of the constituency that the Tories thought that they owned has shown the WSCC Tories what they think of the 18.5% Council Tax rise and proposals for a waste tip in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The voters of Mid Sussex want a change. They no longer want to be represented by Tories. They know that voting Liberal Democrat gets them representatives who listen to them and work for their interests.

Last night's result came after a strong campaign by the Tories who brought in campaigners from London to boost local resources and try and hold this formerly safe seat.

There is also a message here for Labour voters in Mid Sussex: voting Labour lets the Tory in. At the next General Election, if you want to get rid of the Tory, vote Liberal Democrat."