ELECTION RESULTS: Tory leader says defeat was 'kick in the teeth'

3:21pm Friday 4th May 2012 in News

Keith Bland following his defeat Keith Bland following his defeat

CONSERVATIVE leader Keith Bland says the campaign of Labour rival Chris Vobe was 'character assassination'.

Mr Bland suffered a heavy defeat in Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft in Thursday's vote and with another loss for Paul Campbell in Penketh - just four Tories remain on Warrington Borough Council.

Mr Bland said: "I was still hopeful.

"Part of the defeat could well have been nationally influenced but the campaign that was put against me by the labour candidate was character assassination.

"It's part of politics.

"My big disappointment is that I have lost by so many votes. People have abandoned me I feel. It's a kick in the teeth."

His rival Clr Chris vove was delighted however.

He said: “These results are a clear message from people in Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft who have given their overwhelming support to Labour’s hard-working team of community activists.

“On behalf of myself and my parish councillors, my sincere and heartfelt thanks go to everyone who used their votes for Labour at this election.

"The fact that we had the highest turnout of any ward in the town shows how seriously people here took this election, and how passionate and determined they were to deliver change in our community.

“What I am most looking forward to now is getting down to work and delivering that change. My team and I know that the best way to show our thanks to everyone who supported us is not to dither, but to start working and delivering on local people’s priorities. That’s what we’re determined to do."

Comments(12)

roadrunner says...
6:48pm Fri 4 May 12

You have been abandoned Mr Bland because you and your con-dem cronies are not wanted......Now close the door on your way out.....

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old-codger says...
7:52pm Fri 4 May 12

I hope it was a size 12 you got up your jacksie.

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HuffPuff says...
7:59pm Fri 4 May 12

roadrunner wrote:
You have been abandoned Mr Bland because you and your con-dem cronies are not wanted......Now close the door on your way out.....
Have no idea what percentage of the electorate voted in Culcheth, it's not my patch. But obviously those that did wanted no truck with the Conservative candidate, even if he had been deputy council leader. Neither obviously did the traditionally conservative voters, because they stayed at home - apparently like the candidate during the campaign. The margin of defeat here gives a clue to the general level of cynicism in Culcheth for the campaign waged by the conservatives. In view of this the allegation of "character assassination" is little more than sour grapes.

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Samantha1000 says...
8:18pm Fri 4 May 12

No Keith, you abandoned those people you should have supported, and for those people it was a kick in the teeth.

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Peddles76 says...
10:25pm Fri 4 May 12

No Keith it wasn't character assassination it was hard work by Chris vobe that got him elected! I live in Culcheth and I wouldn't know you if I fell over you. Chris Vobe has walked the streets of Culcheth day in day out in all weathers and earned his votes x he clearly cares about the area and has knocked on my door numerous times...... Where we're you!

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Peddles76 says...
10:37pm Fri 4 May 12

This article has really annoyed I've just looked through the numerous leaflets thatbChris Vobe put through my door (as a pose to the one conservative one I received where you greatest claim was getting adequate street lighting and a notice board) and there is no so called 'assassination' just facts about what Chris Vobe has done or is trying to do for the area! Your claims just come across as a huge case of sour grapes!

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MikeJT says...
7:14am Sat 5 May 12

character assassination = he pointed out I was crap !

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srh274 says...
10:51am Sun 6 May 12

Oh dear Keith. Not a happy lad? Well neither were we when YOU closed Woolston High School and kept open an inferior Padgate High School so that Woolston's Building Schools For the Future went to build a shiny new school in (yes, you guessed it!) Culcheth. One can go back 22 years to the Traveller Transit Site Fiasco in the CONDEM Cheshire County Council where the then Tory and Liberal leaders in a letter to each other, stated that it was " Woolston's fault for voting Labour!". Well Mr Bland people have long memories of CONDEM alliances here despite your £31 million new school in Culcheth! Simon Cussons in Antrobus was the leader of the Tories then (borders Stetton airfield - proposed first choice for transit site) and the Lib Dem leader represented Appleton - also bordering Stretton Airfield. No then what was the name of the Lib Dem leader at the time.... Oh yes, your mate ex-council Lib Dem leader Ian Marks.
Hard luck old boy!!

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srh274 says...
10:56am Sun 6 May 12

Next they'll patronise young surprisingly elected candidates with 2 they have not got our experience running a council". Judging by their term of office it's perhaps as well!

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HappyMisery says...
4:17pm Tue 8 May 12

It's not "character assassination" when it's the truth. Bland has done little to retain votes from Culcheth when his campaign consisted of a "glossy" leaflet advising how the Conservatives have "replaced street light bulbs" and "erected a new notice board in New Church" - funnily enough Keith, I expect a little more to be done than light bulbs and glued plywood from my elected official. The resurfacing for Lodge Drive was a big issue for Culcheth and you ignored it for years. Vobe beat you in this election because he listened to the public and did not try, as you have done for may years, to tell the voters what they should want.

This wasn't just a vote, it was a chance for the public to give an honest opinion of your work and the opinion of the voters was that you were not good enough.

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Dooflick says...
1:49pm Wed 9 May 12

As Enoch Powell - a Tory - said all political careers end in tears and failure. But it's how the failure is handled that shows the true mettle of the person and the politician.

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srh274 says...
10:58am Thu 10 May 12

Here ! Here !

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