Tories scrape home in Cheam council by-election by 87 votes
Conservative candidate Jonathan Pritchard has narrowly retained a Cheam Ward council seat for the Conservatives in yesterday’s by-election. Mr Pritchard polled just 87 votes ahead of Liberal Democrat Wendy Mathys.
The by-election was called following the disqualification of Conservative Eleanor Pinfold for persistent rudeness while carrying out her official duties.
The UK Independence Party beat Labour into fourth place, polling 8% of the vote ahead of Labour’s 3%.
The turnout of 44% was lower than in May 2006’s full council election which saw 51% of voters fulfil their democratic duty.
Cheam Ward has three council seats, all currently occupied by Conservatives. It would take little more than a gentle breeze to unseat them, but famously a week is a long time in politics and the next election (barring any further mishaps) is two years away.
Official results from Sutton Council. I’ve put the full results online here. Please contact me if you’d like a copy of this as an Excel spreadsheet.
Photo: Copyright © Sutton Council.
