By Kit Sandeman, Local Democracy Reporter
Labour has gained one of only four seats it didn’t already have on Nottingham City Council in a by-election in Wollaton West.
It means there are now 52 Labour councillors, two Conservatives and one independent.
Cate Woodward was elected in the early hours of Friday morning (March 9), with a majority of 243 votes.
The by-election was called after the death of former Conservative leader Georgina Culley.
Turnout was high for a local council by-election – at 40.25 percent.
Speaking after the result was announced, Wollaton resident Mrs Woodward said: “It’s not the best reason for a by-election, and it’s worth repeating that Georgina gave 25 years of service for the ward.
“I’m delighted to be elected, and I would like to thank everyone who supported me in the campaign, and to thank all the residents of Wollaton West who have put their faith in me, I hope I can repay it.”
The count, which was held at Loxley House, was briefly interrupted when all the lights in the count room went off, which prompted a small cheer and jokes about counters ‘keeping hands above the table’, but power was restored after about 10 seconds.
The by-election was also brightened by the presence of David Bishop of the Bus-Pass Elvis Party, who proposed converting derelict pubs into vegetarian all-you-can-eat buffets called Viva Las Vegans. Mr Bishop received 41 votes.
Conservative candidate Paul Brittain, who won 1,950 votes, simply said he was ‘gutted’.
Latter stages of the campaign were characterised by increasingly-bitter leaflets. The Conservatives attacked Robin Hood Energy, a publicly-owned energy company which was set up with the help of a loan from the city council.
Robin Hood Energy responded with a letter to all households in the ward.
Results in full;
David Bishop, Bus-Pass Elvis Party, 41 votes
Paul Brittain, Conservative, 1,950 votes
Adam McGregor, Green, 72 votes
Tony Sutton, Liberal Democrat, 237 votes
Cate Woodward, Labour, 2,193 votes – ELECTED
Turnout – 40.25 percent.
