Labour wins Southway by-election

Labour has won the Southway by-election, gaining the council seat from the Conservatives.

Jonny Morris won the vote for Labour on a turnout of 29.24% and will represent the ward alongside the existing Labour councillors Lorraine Parker and John Smith.

The UKIP candidate Peter Berrow was second, pushing the Conservative candidate, David Downie, into third place.

Result

Jonny Morris, Labour 1,247

Peter Berrow, UKIP 764

David Downie, Conservatives 487

Dennis Silverwood, Independent 290

Justin Stafford, Liberal Democrat 82

Ryan Aldred, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition 22

Labour majority 483

Jonny Morris said: “I am thrilled that the people of Southway have put their trust in me and the Plymouth Labour team to represent their needs, concerns and aspirations.

“The conversations I’ve been having over the past few weeks do not stop here.

“I will be working hard with my council colleagues John Smith and Lorraine Parker, who have done a fantastic job in listening to and delivering for the community, to continue to show that the Labour Party gets things done and is the most effective voice for them.”

Alison Seabeck, Member of Parliament for Plymouth Moor View, said:

“Jonny will be a fantastic Councillor and asset to the people of Southway and the Plymouth Labour group.

“As a local man who understands the issues he will hit the ground running in sticking up for the people of Southway whilst this Tory-led Government continue to demonstrate that, unlike Jonny, they are completely out of touch.”

The Plymouth ward went to the polls on Thursday 27 June to fill the vacant seat left by Tom Browne who won the seat for the Conservatives in 2010.

Mr Browne represented the Southway ward from 2006 until the end of April this year when he resigned as a councillor.

The polls opened at 7am and closed at 10pm. There were eight polling stations in total.

For more information about the by-election visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/byelection.