Seems that those who heralded a backlash against the Lib Dems will have to wait a little longer. The Central Devon Lib Dems are claiming a rise in their membership, the Torbay Lib Dems won a seat at a by-election with a 17 per cent swing from a Conservative, and now in Teignbridge the Lib Dems have gained the Ipplepen ward from a Tory, too.
According to Lib Dem Councillor David Cox on the PRSD Facebook wall: “Liberal Democrat Alistair Dewhirst received 756 votes wining the Ipplepen Ward by-election, overturning a 400 Tory majority in a fight with Philip Coombes the Conservative candidate who received 458 votes.”
Alistair beat Tory Philip Coombes in the seat (the only two standing). Philip works for Newton Abbot MP Anne Marie Morris, and apparently ‘played an important part in her election campaign’.
The Central Devon Lib Dems are saying: “In July, membership of the party went up by over 600 and the number of members in Central Devon has also increased. The idea that thousands of members are leaving us is a complete and utter fallacy.”
And Torbay MP Adrian Sanders pointed out on this site that “In a Torbay Council by-election – since the Coalition agreement – a Liberal Democrat gained a seat from the Conservatives on a 17 per cent swing from Con to Lib Dem in a four cornered contest.”
We should also remind everyone, that Labour is now in charge of Exeter City Council, taking it from the Lib Dems. Still, the mellow yellows are making ground against the Tories. Will it last?
Come and enjoy Devon – book a hotel and get away!
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