Lib Dems win in Southgate by-election

12.00.00am GMT Fri 30th Jan 2009

The result for the Bury St Edmunds Town Council By-Election held on 29th January 09.

Note that no polling cards were issued so that the only people alerted to this election 'officially' were the postal voters:

Result:

Allan Jones (LD) 246

Terry Buckle (Con) 203

Brian Lockwood (ABC Independant - Abolish the Town Council) 95

Turnout:16.7%

Previous result in a 2 member ward uncontested by the Lib Dems after a Parish Poll voted 4 to 1 in favour of abolishing the Town Council:

ABC: 695 and 606

Con: 490 and 483

Turnout:40%

Background:

In May 2007 the Abolish the Town Council group won a majority outright then failed to abolish the town council.

The campaign was based around 2 leaflets and a knock up leaflet to seek to elect the LD Borough Councillor onto the Town Council. With no polling cards the Tories benefited from the 'automatic' postal votes issued. Dark and cold nights inhibited canvassing, though the Millenium Pledge survey was used in support of the leaflets. The campaign was led start to finish by PPC David Chappell, with support from members across the constituency. The election was 'won' by the knocking up operation on the day when many residents were still unaware that an election was taking place that day!

Is it political fraud when polling cards are not issues to voters. Only the postal voters received any notice of this election.