News / Politics
Labour retains seat in Horfield by-election
Carole Johnson of the Labour Party has been elected in the Horfield by-election.
The by-election took place after Deborah Vittori, one of the victorious Labour candidates in May’s local elections, was disqualified due to being a teacher employed by Bristol City Council.
During the early hours of Friday morning, the win saw Johnson beat narrowly the Greens’ Anna Meares by 103 votes.
is needed now More than ever
Former councillor Johnson, who lost her seat in Ashley ward in 2021 and unsuccessfully ran to be councillor for St George Central in the May local elections, went to St George Secondary School and is a qualified as a dental nurse, teacher and a social worker.
Speaking after the declaration, she said: “To all the residents and everybody who voted for me, I just want to let you know that I am going to work my bottom off for you by doing the absolute best job that I can.”
Newly elected Bristol North East MP Damien Egan congratulates Carole Johnson – photo: Betty Woolerton
There was an overall turnout of 61 per cent with 5,956 votes cast. This was almost double the turnout in the local elections in May which attracted 33 per cent of the electorate – no doubt helped that by the general election vote that also took place on Thursday.
The full results are:
- Carole Johnson (Labour): 2,367
- Roxanne Lock (Lib Dems): 407
- Anna Meares (Green): 2,264
- Joan Molins (Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition): 83
- Sharon Scott (Conservative): 778
Carole Johnson has won the seat in the by-election at Horfield pic.twitter.com/P5li6cIskq
— Karen Johnson (@karenswaron) July 5, 2024
After the result announcement at City Academy in Redfield, Johnson said: “Darren said that change is possible and hope is real.
“And we proved it tonight – we make history across the UK and I’m glad to be stepping forward with the Labour Party with the new changes that are about to come.”
The by-election results mean the balance of councillor seats in City Hall remains the same after the local elections in May, with 34 Green, 21 Labour, eight Lib Dems and seven Conservatives.
Horfield is a ward represented by two councillors, with Bristol’s Labour group leader Tom Renhard holding the other seat.
Main photo: Betty Woolerton
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