It was good to see that the Conservatives did so well in Epsom. My slightly bullish prediction of a 20,000-plus majority for Chris was always in doubt after the Liberal Democrat surge in the polls (which actually led to an increase in their vote in Epsom, unlike elsewhere), but to increase our percentage of the vote and poll above 30,000 votes is no mean feat. Full results were as follows:
Chris Grayling - 30,868 (56.2% of vote +1.2%)
Jonathan Lees - 14,734 (26.8% of vote +5.3%)
Craig Montgomery - 6,538 (11.9% of vote -8.1%)
Elizabeth Wallace - 2,549 (4.6% of vote +1.1%)
Peter Ticher - 266 (0.5% of vote)
Labour saw its vote all but disappear to the Liberal Democrats, who ran an aggressive campaign in the area. Our unfortunate independent cabinet - Peter Ticher from 'Radical Reform' - had a disappointing night, and didn't even bother to stick around for the count.
These results mean that next year's Borough elections could be very interesting. The controlling Residents' Association will be sure to come under increased pressure from all national political parties. The LibDems will hope to make inroads in the Town and Stamford Wards. Labour will look to add another Councillor in Court (perhaps even the former PPC if the rumours are true and he decides to stick around?). Finally, the Conservatives will be hoping that the increase in their vote translates to further successes following their recent by-election victories in Ruxley. It's going to be interesting!
