Liberal Democrats claim another by-election win

The Liberal Democrats recorded their third by-election victory of 2022 in the East Riding when Diana Stewart was named the new councillor for the Beverley Rural.

Voters went to the polls and were choosing from three candidates, but it was a two-horse race between the eventual winner and the Conservatives, which had held the post.

The by-election was triggered by the recent death of Cllr Pauline Greenwood.

Cllr Stewart received 1,948 votes, eventually comfortably seeing off her rival, Peter Stevens, who had 1,116.

The Liberal Democrats said they were thrilled to claim the election win after a 23 per cent swing. Labour’s Claire Wildey was a distant third with 213 votes.

Cllr Stewart said: “A huge thank you to the voters for putting their trust in me.”

Beverley Rural Ward covers villages such as Walkington, Bishop Burton, Cherry Burton, Leconfield and Tickton.

It stretches as far west as North and South Newbald, as far north as Middleton-on-the-Wolds and Kilnwick and west to Leven.

Cllr Denis Healy, leader of the Liberal Democrats group on East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “This is an incredible win for the Liberal Democrats thanks to the hard work of Diana and her team.

“Diana is a true community campaigner and I know she will work tirelessly to listen to local people and help improve their lives.

“The result also shows that there is a genuine electable alternative to the Conservatives in the East Riding. This is a hat-trick of by election victories for the Liberal Democrats in Tory heartlands this year.

“ In South Hunsley, Bridlington North and Beverley Rural, a trio of genuine community-minded people, all of them women, have been elected, and they are all delivering for their communities.

“People on the doorsteps told us they felt taken for granted by the Conservatives, and wanted to vote for change, to choose someone different who would put local residents first.

“That’s what Liberal Democrat councillors are doing across the East Riding, and holding the Conservatives at County Hall to account.

“Diana won because she cares, she engages with people, listens to their concerns, and now she has joined the Liberal Democrat council group at County Hall who are delivering for residents all across the East Riding and changing the political complexion of the county.”