Southend Liberal Democrats praise Bedford result (Southend Liberal Democrats)

Southend Liberal Democrats <info@southendlibdems.co.uk>

Southend Liberal Democrats praise Bedford result

October 19, 2009 11:50 AM

Local Liberal Democrat candidates Peter Welch and Graham Longley are celebrating a famous Liberal Democrat victory, after their party's sensational win in Bedford.

Bedford (like London) has a directly-elected mayor, and Liberal Democrat Dave Hodgson became the second person to hold the office in a thrilling election victory - declared on Friday afternoon.

Bedfordhas a Labour MP, but Labour were nowhere to be seen when the votes were announced. On first preferences, Dave Hodgson topped the poll, three hundred ahead of the Conservatives. When second preferences were counted, that advantage soared to two thousand. Labour meanwhile finished out of the running, back in fifth place - beaten not just by the Liberal Democrats, but also by the Conservatives and two independent candidates.

Graham Longley said "This is a fantastic result. It shows that Labour are nowhere, and that when voters face a choice between Liberal Democrats and Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats finish on top."

Peter Welch said. "I am thrilled about this result. Dave Hodgson is an old friend of mine from my campaign across the region for the European Parliament. I know he will do a great job as mayor of Bedford. And this will be a big boost for the party too. Latest reports have been that David Cameron is measuring the curtains in Downing Streets and making lists of the pals he wants to appoint to the House of Lords. This means he will need to think again. He will be staggered by his party's poor result in Bedford."