Conservative Mark Goldsack wins Soham North and Isleham by-election
Mark Goldsack has been elected as councillor for Soham North and Isleham North. Picture: ARCHANT. - Credit: Archant
Conservative Mark Goldsack won the Soham North and Isleham seat - but a drop in votes led to an “impressive swing” for the Liberal Democrats.
Cllr Goldsack, who lives in Isleham, won the Cambridgeshire County Council ward last night (Thursday) with 49 per cent of the vote, but lost the support of 17 per cent of the electorate.
The Liberal Democrats saw their vote increase to 30 per cent, up 13.
Labour’s Lee Jinks saw a six per cent decline in support for the party.
Independent Geoffrey Woollard won the backing of 10 per cent of voters.
The Soham North and Isleham by-election was called when Conservative Paul Raynes resigned his seat to take a £130,000 job at the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority in August, just one year into his county council term.
Speaking this morning to local democracy reporter, Josh Thomas, Cllr Goldsack congratulated Lib Dem opponent Victoria Charlesworth and said Paul Raynes’ departure fhad “emboldened” the other parties.
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He also pledged to be “accessible and approachable for residents”, encouraging anyone with concerns to get in touch.
Mayor of the combined authority, James Palmer, tweeted: “Congratulations to Mark Goldsack @MBGGoldie on his fine win in today’s election.
“He fought a positive campaign while all around him opposition candidates concentrated on negativity.
“Mark will be an outstanding county councillor for Soham North and Isleham.”
The count took place at The Beeches in Isleham with a turnout of 21.22 per cent.
Deputy returning officer, John Hill, declared the count totals just before midnight.
They were as follows:
The total number of ballot paper counted was 1758
The number of votes cast in favour of Victoria Josephine Charlesworth (Liberal Democrat) - 527
The number of votes cast in favour of Mark Brannan Goldsack (Conservative) - 858
The number of votes cast in favour of Lee Jinks (Labour) - 191
The number of votes cast in favour of Geoffrey Ladbrooke Woollard (Independent) - 182
The total number of rejected ballot papers was 12.
The winning candidate is confirmed as Mark Brannan Goldsack.
At last year’s county council election the Conservatives secured 66 per cent of the vote.
