6/5/2008

News

ELECTION: Lib Dem ousted in night's shock result

ONE of the biggest shocks of the night came in Long Ditton where long-standing Liberal Democrat member Torq Stewart fell to the Conservatives.

The former Mayor was deputy leader of the Lib Dem group and looked set to take over from retiring leader Graham Winton.

However, his seat on the council will now be taken by Tim Grey, after the Tory triumphed by just 21 votes — the narrowest margin of the night.

A disappointed Mr Stewart said: “I think probably we have won so often in Long Ditton that voters were beginning to get complacent.

“So many of our voters just didn’t vote because they thought we’d get back in.

“I’m very saddened after all the work I’ve done in the ward that a newcomer who’s done nothing can take it by those extra few votes.

“We’ll have to see how he does.”

Cllr Grey said he was “extremely honoured” to have been chosen by residents.

“Torq Stewart was very well established and I was always the underdog, but I felt it was time for a change as Long Ditton has changed a lot over the past 20 years.”

The barrister put his success down to keeping in touch with the concerns of locals both on the internet and by more traditional canvassing measures.

He said: “My blog has been invaluable in letting me know about concerns.

“I also found I was able to engage with people well by knocking on their doors.

Labour candidate Stuart Vine garnered 84 votes, with turnout 40.8%.

First printed in: News & Mail Series

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