Local Election 2002 Summary

Local Conservatives today claimed to have effectively won the borough elections in Swindon on 2 May, having won more votes than any other party.

The Swindon Borough elections produced no change in the political composition of the Council, with the Conservatives remaining on 22 of the 59 seats. However, in many wards the Conservatives recorded significant reductions in Labours majorities and continue to be a major political force in the borough. The Conservatives did receive more votes in the borough than any other party. The Conservatives polled 15250 votes (39%) compared to Labours 13539 (34%) and the Liberal Democrats 9609 (24%).

The highlight of the election for the Conservatives was the tremendous victory of David Renard in the Haydon Wick ward, winning the seat from Labour. David polled 48% of the vote, and his success means the Conservatives now hold all three Haydon Wick seats. Other notable Conservative victories include Justin Tomlinson who retained his Abbey Meads seat with an impressive 70% of the vote, and Doreen Dart who retained Blunsdon with 72% of the votes.

The only Conservative casualty was Garry Perkins in Dorcan ward. It seems Garry, as Lead Member for Education, suffered an unjust public backlash regarding the Councils disgraceful Ofsted failure. This failure actually occurred under the previous Labour administration and was the cause of their dismal resignation last year.

Mike Bawden, Leader of the Conservative Group, said:

With regard to the overall number of votes cast, the Conservative Party performed relatively well in the borough. Across all wards the Conservatives received comfortably more votes than any other single party. In terms of the popular vote, therefore, we might say the Conservatives effectively won the local elections in Swindon.

Although the composition of the Council did not change on May 2, this result is a solid foundation on which to build for the future. The Conservatives certainly remain a strong and significant political force in Swindon."