Jacob Rees-Mogg retained his seat for North East Somerset last Thursday as MP for North East Somerset, in what was a good night for the Conservatives, both locally and nationally. Result: Jacob Rees-Mogg, Conservative, 25,431, Todd Foreman, Labour, 12,690, Ernest Blaber, UKIP, 6,150, Wera Hobhouse, Lib-Dems, 4,029, and Katy Boyce, Green, 2,802.
Bath also has a new Conservative MP, with Ben Howlett winning 17,833 votes, Steve Bradley (Lib-Dem) 14,000, Ollie Middleton (Labour) 6,216, Dominic Tristram (Green) 5,634, Julian Deverell (UKIP) 2,922, Lorraine Morgan-Brinkhurst (Independent) 499, and Jenny Knight (Eng. Democrats) 63.
The results for Bath and North East Somerset Council elections filtered through late on Friday afternoon, with the Conservatives winning the majority and taking power from the Lib-Dems in Bath, who have overseen major projects such as Keynsham and Radstock's regeneration and the Bath travellers' site.
The local Conservatives election manifesto concentrated on the economy and transport issues in the area. The party won 37 of the 65 seats on B&NES Council, the result of which means that the Conservatives have become the first party since B&NES was created to gain an outright majority on the Council.
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Speaking this week, Cllr Tim Warren, Group Leader and expected Leader of B&NES Council, said: "We are obviously delighted with the election result and humbled by the trust that residents across B&NES have put in us to run their Council and represent our local communities. It is clear that residents in B&NES wanted a change of direction from their Council and have decided to give us the chance to deliver that change. As soon as the new administration is confirmed at the Council AGM on 21st May, we will want to set to work quickly on delivering the key priorities in our manifesto – getting the Council's finances in order, delivering a coherent plan to improve local transport and delivering the new, affordable homes and local jobs our area needs. There will be challenges ahead, but many exciting opportunities as well. Bath and North East Somerset is a great area with great people and our overriding priority will be building a Council which puts residents first."
The biggest surprise was a Conservative win in Radstock for Deirdre Horstmann, who will join Labour's Chris Dando in representing the town. Labour's Liz Hardman and John Bull retained their seats in Paulton, as did Robin Moss in Westfield, who will be joined by Labour's Eleanor Jackson, who has previously represented Radstock.
Peasedown St John voted Councillor Sarah Bevan back in – who recently quit the Lib-Dems to stand alongside Karen Walker, the mother of the other long-serving Councillor for the village, Nathan Hartley, who has retired from local politics. The pair stood under the banner, 'No politics, just Peasedown' and the result means Cllr Bevan will continue her twelve-year run.
The Conservatives held their seats in the Somer Valley area – including Chris Watt and Paul Myers (Midsomer Norton Redfield), Barry Macrae and Michael Evans (Midsomer Norton North). Tim Warren for Mendip, long-standing Councillor, Les Kew (High Littleton), Liz Richardson (Chew Valley North), Vic Pritchard (Chew Valley South) and Sally Davis (Farmborough). Keynsham all voted blue, with Charles Gerrish and Brian Simmons (Keynsham North), Alan Hale and Liz O'Brian (Keynsham South), Marie Longstaff (Keynsham East), Emma Dixon and Francine Haeberling (Saltford). Publow and Whitchurch will be represented by Paul May (Conservative) and Clutton, previously Lib-Dem, will now have a Conservative Councillor, Karen Warrington.
Timsbury's Independent Councillor, Doug Deacon, retained his seat, as did Lib-Dem, Neil Butters, for Bathavon South.
The Lib-Dems did better in Bath, with Cherry Beath holding her seat for Combe Down, as did Caroline Roberts for Newbridge, Nigel Roberts for Odd Down and Paul Crossley (previously Lib-Dem Leader of B&NES Council) and Dine Romero winning Southdown. Commenting on the results, Paul Crossley, Group Leader of the Lib-Dems, said: "The election results have been extremely disappointing for the Liberal Democrats, both locally and nationally. However, the local Lib-Dem team will continue to fight on the issues which are important to B&NES residents and will be working hard to hold the new administration to account."
In Twerton, Joe Rayment became the first Labour Councillor in Bath since 1995. Newly-elected Leader of the Labour Group, Cllr Robin Moss, (Westfield) said: "Nationally, the result was very disappointing for Labour. However, locally we bucked the trend. All four incumbent members of the Labour Group were elected, which is a testament to their hard work and commitment to their residents. In addition, the Labour Group increased in size. I am delighted to see Chris Dando, a highly experienced and effective Councillor, return to B&NES. In Bath, Joe Rayment showed himself to be a fantastic campaigner by winning the seat of Twerton, thereby ending a long period when Bath has been without Labour representation. Cllr Rayment has now taken on the role of the Deputy Leader of the Labour Group in a demonstration of the Labour Group's commitment to the city of Bath."
The Greens picked up two seats for Bath, with Lin Patterson in Lambridge (standing alongside Rob Appleyard, Lib-Dem, previously Labour in Westfield), also gaining a seat. The other Green Party Councillor is Jonathan Carr for Abbey ward.
In a General Election that has seen a surprise majority win by the Conservatives, the local Lib-Dem, Labour and Green Parties have been reporting via Social Media a rise in new members joining them under #fightback
Town and Parish Council election results were released earlier this week – Midsomer Norton Town Council and Peasedown St John and Westfield Parish Councils have all been uncontested. For Radstock Town Council, contested seats were won in the Radstock Clandown ward by Bruce Shearn (Lib-Dem) and John Whittock (Independent), Radstock Centre ward seats went to Colin Currie (Independent), Chris Dando (Labour), Rupert Bevan (Independent) and Liz Derl-Davis (Labour). In Paulton, Parish Councillors elected are: Anthony Arnold, Margaret Barrett, Terence Bridgeman, Dawn Colliver, Michael Colliver, Graham Dix, Gail Garlick, Liz Hardman, Jeff Humphries, Shirley Long, Elizabeth Lyons, Cyril Mitchard, Robert Piper, Timothy Reakes, Hugh Warren, Les Wild and Marian Wild.