Liberal Democrat Dave Patrick storms to victory in Wisbech by-elections

9.15.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 16th Apr 2010

Newly elected councillor Dave Patrick

Liberal Democrat Dave Patrick is Wisbech Kirkgate's new District and Town Councillor, with a resounding win in the council by-election on Thursday 15 April. Dave gained both seats from the Conservatives, with over 50 per cent of the total vote.

Dave also narrowly missed taking the Wisbech North seat on Cambridgeshire County Council, with only 42 votes separating him from the Conservatives.

Labour trailed in a poor third place in all three contests.

Dave Patrick said: "I am very grateful to the electors of Kirkgate for choosing me as their local Liberal Democrat councillor, and will do my utmost to be worthy of the trust they have placed in me. I dearly hope that in the next round of elections we can build on this success, and see even more Liberal Democrats win a deserved place on Fenland District Council. My very sincere thanks to all who have supported me and helped my campaign."

North East Cambridgeshire parliamentary candidate Lorna Spenceley added her congratulations to Cllr Patrick. "Dave is a hard worker, with his heart in Wisbech, and I know he will make an excellent representative for Kirkgate. Dave ran a clean campaign that concentrated on the issues, and I'm delighted that he's been rewarded with such a sensational win.

"In the crucial weeks leading up to the General Election, this shows that only the Liberal Democrats can seriously challenge the Conservatives in this constituency, while Labour support continues to crumble."

Dave is the first Liberal Democrat councillor on the Tory stronghold of Fenland District Council, which otherwise consists of 38 Conservatives and one independent.

RESULTS IN FULL

Wisbech North (Cambridgeshire County Council)

Con 548, Lib Dem Dave Patrick 506, Lab 287, UKIP 233 (Con hold)

Wisbech Kirkgate (Fenland District Council)

Lib Dem Dave Patrick 287, Con 145, Lab 74, UKIP 54 (Lib Dem gain from Con)

Wisbech Kirkgate (Wisbech Town Council)

Lib Dem Dave Patrick 283, Con 137, Lab 79, UKIP 55, Ind 9 (Lib Dem gain from Con)