By-election success for Brenda Canham on Thetford Abbey Ward

The last time I posted a blog I ended by saying that I looked forward to the day when our efforts in elections locally resulted in success. This followed three losses at the other Breckland by-elections held over the Summer, including the disappointingly close result in Attleborough. That elusive success came yesterday when Brenda Canham topped the poll for the Thetford Abbey District seat securing a fantastic 334 votes. This compared to just 128 for the Conservatives, closely followed by UKIP with 117 who were in turn closely followed by the LibDems with 99. That's a majority of 206 for Brenda and nearly 50% of all votes cast, a 27% increase in the share of the vote. Brenda managed to secure more votes yesterday, than 2011 despite a near 10% less turnout from voters. Just 681 ballots were cast yesterday, compared to 965 in 2011. That result in 2011 was the lowest turnout figure for all Breckland Council seats.

Brenda will make an excellent Councillor. Having lived within the ward for as long as she has, and been involved with local community life for as long as she has, she thoroughly understands the issues that local people face and she will work to address these issues. She has earned the success after decades after hard work and determination.

Without taking anything away from Brenda, this was also a success for Labour. We ran a campaign that I am thoroughly proud off. We knocked on virtually every door on the Ladies Estate and ever door on the Abbey Estate - that's approx 1500 homes. Not everybody was home, and not everyone wanted to talk, but we put in a lot of effort and talked to a lot of people about their concerns. This is rarely easy, but it has got to be done. This was the first step in rebuilding a connection with voters and earning their trust and respect. In the same way that I have worked to build up the turnout for Thetford Saxon Ward (18% rising to 32& last May) we must now work to do the same for Thetford Abbey.

Labours members helped fantasticly with the campaign with the Leader of Suffolk County Council Labour Group - Sandy Martin attending on 3 occasions to assist, plus Peter Smith as Chair of SW Norfolk CLP, and Harry Clarke a member from Dereham, and Alex Mayer.

Onwards to future victories????