Alex Kemp. Picture: Matthew Usher.
Labour take Norfolk County Council’s Clenchwarton and King’s Lynn South seat from Conservative party
Donna Semmens
Friday, September 28, 2012
12:36 PM
But Conservatives hold West Norfolk Council seat - turnout for both elections poor
There were scenes of celebration in King’s Lynn as Labour won a county council seat from the Conservatives today.
The swing from right to left saw a Conservative majority of 272 at the last election transformed to a 400 majority for Labour this time.
The Clenchwarton and King’s Lynn South seat went to candidate Alex Kempe who won 824 votes while Conservative Paul Foster polled 424 and came second. Liberal Democrat Kate Sayers had 282 votes while UKIP candidate Michael Stone had 271.
“I am really pleased,” said Ms Kemp, who added that the issue of the proposed incinerator had a major bearing on the outcome.
“It shows what can be done when ordinary people like me go out and talk to people.
“It sends a really strong message to the leader of the council, Derrick Murphy, and we are not going to rest until he stands on the steps of County Hall and tears-up the Cory Wheelabrator contract for the incinerator,” she added.
The seat had previously been held by Conservative David Harwood, who died earlier this year. He took 39.25pc of the vote at the last election while Ms Kemp took 45.5pc.
The Labour victory takes the number of county councillors from the party to five, with six Green, 10 Liberal Democrat, one UKIP, two independent and 60 Conservative.
The turn-out for the county election was 22.5pc with 1,809 votes recorded from an electoral register of 8,030.
The results of a West Norfolk Council election for Spellowfields saw an even poorer turn-out with just 19.1pc of residents voting.
Both the county and the borough seats were vacant after the death of Mr Harwood.
Conservative Sheila Young held the Spellowfields seat at the borough council when she polled 348 votes with Labour candidate Ken Hubbard in second place with 243.
Liberal Democrat Ian Swinton had just 22 votes while UKIP’s Michael Stone had 88 and Rob Archer for the Greens polled 61.
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17 comments
The consevatives at county hall have ignored the people of South Lynn who are on the frontline. They will fight this stinking toxic waste incinerator. Small children attending school there will be on the frontline breathing in posion while they sit at their school desk, and breathing posions while they sleep in their bed. Parents should refuse to send their children to school if they continue to ignore us.Time for the conservatives who have caused this to resign.
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Jack
Sunday, September 30, 2012
NCC has listened to Derrick Murphy. He is very inexperienced in man management with his brash manner. He has caused stress and anxiety hence the referendum and the start of the meltdown of some Tory so called safe seats in West Norfolk. If the burner gets approval by the planning inspectorate will definitely be the end of the safe Tory County. Not just County Councillors but also Borough and our MPs. Opposition candidates will say the Tories invited incinerator companies here without asking the public.
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Knee deep In Toxic ash
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Peter Watson, West Norfolk has been under attack by those in County Hall for the last 18 months, and yes, this election result will provoke further ire from Murphy, of that there is no doubt at all. John Martin is quite right, this result is a reflection of Murphy's character, his unacceptable behaviour and his policies. He is not fit to be a councillor of any description, let alone Leader, and will rue the day he let down the people of West Norfolk, ably assisted by his fellow Conservative Councillors at County Hall. The rest of the County really need to wake up and realise, just like those around Coltishall, Snetterton, Great Yarmouth and Wymondham, that they are not safe from this man or his Conservative mates either. Derrick Murphy would do well to get used to losing, that Teflon coating on his shoulders is starting to wear away, and then things will start sticking.
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Honest John
Friday, September 28, 2012
Peter Watson what tree did you fall out of? The fact that Foster did'nt win was because he is Murphy's mate and a poor candidate and it was a protest vote. If Labour ever took control they would destroy everything like they normally do. You just can't miss a chance to come out with more Labour dribble
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Sweet cheeks
Friday, September 28, 2012
That hurts the Tories a lot more than just the numbers show and the worst cuts are yet to come so expect further attacks on bus travel for the blind and disabled and what is left of youth services.A few sharp frosts and the potholes will start to form on Norfolk's unsafe roads,especially around the city.There's a lot to be done before next May.
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Peter Watson
Friday, September 28, 2012
Let us hope that Cllr Derrick Murphy has the sense to see that this huge swing against the Conservative candidate is not just a reflection of the electorate's dislike of Cllr Murphy's waste management policy. It is a reflection also of its dislike of his behaviour generally as leader of NCC.
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John Martin
Friday, September 28, 2012
Cllr George Nobbs will be very pleased that Alex has won. This will send a message to Eric Pickles that he had done the right thing by calling the burner in. The Tories are going to be kicked out of power in west Norfolk. They must now pay Cory Wheelabrator off and concentrate on recycling.
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Choice
Friday, September 28, 2012
An excellent result and a message sent to the right address. next May the County of Norfolk will wake up to a new future without incineration. The poor turnout is not as poor as the one in Thetford two weeks ago, so things are looking up and who knows, what the election for PCC's, on the 15th. November will show with regards to participation. The electoral commission has already written a report regards to the abysmal publicity that is given to the election, despite the importance everyone puts on this job.
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ingo wagenknecht
Friday, September 28, 2012
Can you imagine if the incinerator had started to be built before the May elections or no call in? This would be political meltdown big time in West Norfolk for the Tories. By ignoring the electorate equates to political suicide.
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Alan Allan
Friday, September 28, 2012
This is welcome news indeed, congratulations to Alex, her resolute campaigning paid off, now she can be unleashed at County Hall. The last thing we needed was another of Murphy's mates doing his bidding for him, one step closer to a Murphy free West Norfolk. By the way Paul, don't waste your deposit again in May.
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Honest John
Friday, September 28, 2012
Now, now Fenscape you know that will be a waste of time! Still we all know who will win in May don't we? Enjoy keeping the seat warm Ms Kemp.
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alecto
Friday, September 28, 2012
Spare a thought for poor Paul Foster - even getting his mates at NCC to promise to fix 'that' wretched junction the day before the election wasn't enough to pull the wool over people's eyes! See you again in May, Paul?!
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Fenscape
Friday, September 28, 2012
Good to see that we now have two representatives for this area both of whom are very strongly opposed to the incinerator and free of influence by the Conservative Group at County.
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Joy, King's Lynn
Friday, September 28, 2012
You are having a laugh Donna.Right to Left?
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No to tory boy
Friday, September 28, 2012
No expensive taxis - just 60 seater coach will do!
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whimsie73
Friday, September 28, 2012
Taxi for the Tories
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omnishambles
Friday, September 28, 2012
That's quite a swing - I trust Derrick Murphy will now cease with his arrogant piffle about his party being unbeatable?
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Fenscape
Friday, September 28, 2012