TWO new Conservative councillors are set to join the ranks of Swanage Town Council, while a new Conservative councillor will represent the town at Dorset Council.
A by-election, triggered by the death of Conservative councillor Bill Trite who held the seat since 2019 and the resignation of Labour Party councillor Debby Monkhouse, took place yesterday (July 24).
The results are now in, with the Conservatives comfortably winning the Dorset Council Swanage ward seat with Chris Tomes elected with 1,254 votes.
Reform UK’s John Lejeune claimed second place with 748 votes, Poppy Maltby (Liberal Democrats) came in third with 737 votes, Independent Philip Eades came in fourth with 415 votes and Labour’s Gemma Simmons came in last place with 400 votes.
The turnout was 45.37%.
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Over at Swanage Town Council, the south ward – previously held by Labour’s Debby Monkhouse saw a 42.18% turnout, with Phil Burridge of the Conservatives rising to victory with 534 votes.
Second place went to Labour’s James Mercer with 413 of the votes, Independent Bryan Taylor came in third place with 349 votes and Independent Chris Wood came in fourth with 287 votes.
It was a conservative win again at the Swanage north ward, which saw a 47.59% turnout, as Gary Suttle comfortably won with 900 votes.
Independent Philip Eades was the runner-up with 481 votes, Lib Dem Matt Piper came in third with 309 votes, and Labour’s Gemma Simmons came in fourth with 211 votes.
The next planned elections (for Dorset Council, town and parish councils in the Dorset Council area, and the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner) take place in May 2029.
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