Hi Everyone,
I would first like to thank everyone who voted for me and those who worked on the election campaign,
the Lib Dems put up the biggest fight I have ever seen in Marple, I believe I was a threat to them and
that's why they did so. The Lib Dems had unmatchable resources in Marple, which is something we need
to work on for the next election (in 2014).
I would like to echo the comments made by the Conservative Group leader Syd Lloyd who said a 34pc
turnout played its part as voters mirrored the national mood. He said: “It’s been a disappointing night
for the Conservatives on Stockport council. We have lost an exceptionally good councillor in Mick Jones
and clearly we are disappointed not to have defended Heaton North. National issues clearly impacted on
the vote. There has been an extremely low turnout across the borough and this has hit the Conservative
vote. I’m deeply disappointed and we will be regrouping in the coming days.”
I would also like to offer (and did at the count) my sincerest congratulations to Councillor Alexander.
As Syd Lloyd said we will regroup and live to fight another day.
Regards,
Carl Rydings
Hello Carl,
Welcome back, I for one am pleased that you can be gracious in defeat. You are of course quite right, you will..."live to fight another day". Of course you were a threat to the LibDems you are the opposition and you represent the only other party that could ever win a seat in Marple in the forseeable.
I wouldn't listen too much to Syd Lloyd, he's only just returned to Council (2011)after losing his own seat, (2010) he had four years as the incumbent to consolidate his position with the electorate and he lost the seat. You have only had four weeks as the challenger, so I don't think that he is any position to advise you. His assertions about low turnout and National Politics are wide off the mark. The low turnout applied to every candidate not just you, and as for National Politics the LibDems nationally are the most unpopular party in the country, yet Mrs Alexander was able to double her majority plus more. Brand new Candidates both LibDem and Labour were able to defeat established Conservative Councillors in Gatley and the Heatons.
The fact of the matter is in these constituencies the Conservatives have no political organisation, in addition to this, instead of being selective you just stand for every seat going and in the process dilute the strengths that you have for the seats that you are strong in. There is no doubt in my mind that if you had not stood in Marple at all but moved your Marple resource to Romiley and Gatley then you probably would have won both seats. Again this is down to Syd Lloyd and the Conservative leadership. It is true to say that your party has had a disastrous year on his watch.
It is also worthy of remembrance for the next time, that in Marple you are up against one of the strongest,local political organisations in the country. In fact it is said in LibDem circles nationally that if Marple falls so does the party. Of course you have already discovered this to your chagrin. In example of this did you know that in Sth Marple they had tellers at every single polling station right throughout the day, can yo imagine that? The lesson to be learnt is don't go again until you are ready. Don't just stand in hope because there happens to be an election that year...prepare. Don't march until you've got the equipment and the men !
