Mid Beds Turnout Up

Turnout in the Mid Beds District Council election on May 3^rd was up across every contested ward. Some wards recorded turnouts of over 50% putting to rest concerns about voter apathy.

General turnout was up from an average of 33% in 2003 to 38% in 2007.

The election saw the county’s first ever Green Councillor (Richard Ellis) elected in the Flitton and Greenfield ward (taking the seat from Conservative David Thompson) and the first woman councillor elected in Stotfold. The Conservatives also took the two Arlesey seats, previously held by Labour and an Independent.

Tricia Turner, Leader of Mid Beds, said: “Overall I am very pleased with the result. Turnout was extremely good for a District Council election and this was well up on previous years. Usually issues affect turnout but I am certain that our policies have been endorsed by this result. I am extremely please with our results in Biggleswade and Arlesey.”

ENDS

For information, seats are divided as follows:
Conservatives - 38 (before election 37)
Liberal Democrats - 11 (before election 12)
Independents - 3 (before election 4)
Green Party - 1 (before election 0)

- Liberal leader Neil Cliff loses Henlow seat to Conservative
- Conservatives take both seats in Arlesey from Labour and Independent
- first Green councillor elected in Flitton and Greenfield (replacing Conservative)
- first woman councillor elected in Stotfold
- turnout up in all seats over 2003 election.