Great results from the Lichfield District Council elections on Thursday
Paul Ray and Miles Trent both elected as Lib Dem Councillors for Chadsmead ward. John Smith is now a Lib Dem councillor for St John's ward alongside two Labour councillors, ousting the Conservatives from this ward. Hugh Ashton is elected a Councillor for Stowe ward, Paul McDermott unfortunately fourth for three vacancies. Richard Henshaw elected district councillor for Leomansley, Jamie Christie misses out by about 6 votes from taking a seat from Conservatives.
In the villages Phil Bennion returns to local politics as councillor for Mease Valley. And stunning news in Whittington & Streethay where student Andrew Rushton is now a councillor, having beaten Alan White the conservative leader of Staffordshire County Council.
All of which means that the conservatives no longer have an overall majority on Lichfield District Council. [Cons 23, Labour 17, LD 7]
A massive thank you to the campaigning team and to all the candidates, to the 7 successful ones and to the others who so nearly got elected or who allowed us to put their names up so that there would be a lib dem option in a few more wards.
The drama of the count and Andrew Rushton's win was reported in the Express and Star:
The closest election was in Whittington and Streethay, where Staffordshire County Council leader Alan White lost his seat by just three votes to newly elected Lib Dem councillor, Andrew Rushton.
Being one of the youngest candidates to stand for election in the country at the age of 21, Mr Rushton said he hopes to represent young people who "haven't had a voice on the table in so long."
He added: "I can't describe how I feel, winning by just three votes as well is nerve-wracking because it went to three counts so I'm glad it's over now but I can't wait to get started for the council, I'm just really ecstatic.
"As I said to my voters, I just want to be a voice for them, I want to keep talking to them on the doorstep and let them know they can come to me with any problems and that I will be a voice for them and what they want.
"Roads are a big thing, they are awful, so it's just making sure I'm pressing county council for fixing potholes, putting on bus stops because they've been scrapped and making sure people get access to the services they deserve."
Reflecting on a big night for the Lib Dems, he said: "It's been amazing - we went from one councillor to seven. I don't think we were expecting that at all, it's a massive increase. I think people have gone to the Lib Dems because they know we are getting the message right - we are really happy, we've done really well."