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Kingston Decides - 2001 Parliamentary Results

Edward Davey was returned with a very popular Kingston and Surbiton Vote.  Speaking to the public he thanked both Labour and one nation Conservatives who wanted to distance themselves from extremist Conservative campaigning at the expense of the vulnerable in our society.  Labour voters now know that by voting Liberal Democrat in Kingston and Surbiton they can keep the Conservatives out, while single nation Conservatives can find a fresh start in the Liberal Democrats.  All parties - except the Conservatives, recognized that many residents had not voted and called for electoral reform to make the democratic process more representative of of the wishes of the general public.

The result in Kingston & Surbiton

Amy Burns (UKIP)

438

0.9%

Edward Davey (Liberal Democrat)

29, 542

60.2%

John Hayball (Socialist Labour)

319

0.6%

Jeremy Middleton (Unrepresented People's Party)

54

0.1%

David Shaw (Conservative)

13,866

28.2%

Chris Spruce (Green Party)

572

1.2%

Phil Woodford (New Labour)

4,302

8.8%

LD Majority : 15,676       Previous Majority: 56

Swing from Conservative to Liberal Democrat: 15.92% 

Turn out: 67.6% and 

Ballot papers spoilt: 63

 

The result in Richmond Park

Dr Jenny Tonge kept her strong Position:

Tom Harris (Conservative)

18,480

37.6%
Barry Langford (New Labour)

5,541

11.3%
 James Page (Green Party)

1,223

2.5%
Raymand Perrin (Independant)

115

0.2%
Peter St John How (UK Independance)

348

0.7%

Dr Jenny Tonge (Liberal Democrat)

23,444

47.7%

LD Majority:  4,964

Swing from Conservative to Liberal Democrat: 2.45% 

Turnout: 68%

 

Edward Davey Increases his Liberal Democrat Majority

Editorial:  While the parliamentary vote for the Liberal Democrats looks very good, this could spell apathy for the council elections in 2002.  However if you thought 56 votes was close, many Liberal Democrat Councillors lost or gained their council seats with margins of less than 20 votes between them and the Conservatives.  For example Councillor Rolson Davies in Malden Manor (Old Malden) has a majority of just 17 votes above the Conservatives.

Similar Tory defeats in SW London such as those by Liberal Democrats Paul Burstowe MP in Sutton and Dr Vincent Cable MP in Twickenham suggests that only the Liberal Democrats have the ability to defeat Conservative strongholds.

However may residents have become disenchanted by the Conservative Run Kingston Council where all cabinet members are Conservative and the Conservative's problems in  delivering reasonable council services may cause them further problems in 2002.

It is perhaps this contrast of Conservative policy being now far right, that has alienated their core support while their lack of financial finesse has led many true Tories to now see that their beliefs now rest more securely within the fold of the Liberal Democrats.  With at least one Conservative Councilor having left the Conservative Group in Kingston and others expected to it is perhaps of interest to see if the Conservative party is in time to fade to the realms of an extremist minority group.

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