Lib Dems are main challengers to Tories after by-election wins

Lib Dem campaigner Holly Greenberry-Pullen topped Thursday’s poll to win the Tavistock North seat in the West Devon Borough Council by-election held last week. Ms Greenberry-Pullen beat the Conservative candidate with 28% of votes cast to the Conservative’s 25%; the Greens received 21%, and Labour 14%.

Ms Greenberry-Pullen said:

‘I am so excited to have been elected and looking forward to representing the people of Tavistock North on West Devon Borough Council. People are very unhappy with the endless problems inherited from  years of neglect. There is a hunger for a return to integrity, fairness, and accountability in local government, and we are hungry to deliver it.’

Leader of the Lib Dem group Chris West said:

‘I am delighted that Holly has won this seat. She will be a real asset to the community, campaigning for the things people care about like public services, environmental protection, and a fair deal for local traders. Local people are speaking, and we are hearing them. The Lib Dem fight back is in full swing.’

In the north of the constituency, Lib Dem candidate Teresa Tinsley also won a resounding by-election victory, taking the Bideford North seat on Torridge District Council and beating the Conservative candidate into fourth place.

Phil Hutty, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Torridge and Tavistock said:

‘These results show that all the momentum is now with the Lib Dems as we approach the General Election. Voters across the length of the constituency have shown that the Lib Dems are the preferred party to challenge Tory complacency here after 14 years of uncaring cutbacks to public services and disregard to rural communities.’