Clean sweep for Conservatives who pledge to fight HS2

Oct 22 2010 By Lawrence

THERE was double joy for the Conservatives last night as their candidates secured a clean sweep in the Chiltern District Council by-elections.

Gilbert Nockles and Andrew Garth won seats on the council in the Great Missenden and Ashley Green, Latimer and Chenies wards respectively.

And the pair immediately set their sights on continuing to oppose the High Speed Two (HS2) rail link and dealing with the aftermath of the Spending Review for their local areas.

Called following the resignation of Cllr Bob Swayne (Independent – Great Missenden) and death of Cllr Graham Sussum (Conservative – Ashley Green, Latimer and Chenies), 34.4 per cent and 30.1pc of the voters turned out for each election.

Mr Nockles narrowly beat off competition from Liberal Democrat Seb Berry to win by 25 votes, 306 to 281.

UKIP candidate Colonel Dennis Sluman came in third with 90 votes.

In the Ashley Green, Latimer and Chenies contest, Mr Garth secured an overwhelming majority with 399 votes compared to Liberal Democrat Anil Kantaria's 92, Labour's Peter Ward's 47 and UKIP's Alan Stevens' 11.

Following his victory, Cllr Nockles said: "I'm am delighted. Over the next 100 days we need to get to grips with the problems in Great Missenden and the Spending Review.

"The most important issue though is HS2, I remain robustly and unequivocally opposed to it as is Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham MP) and we will continue to fight it.

"I also want to deal with key local issues like roads and parking."

On taking his seat, Cllr Garth said: "I'm very happy. It was a bit down on last time in terms of turnout, but considering it was a by-election, it's not bad at all.

"I met a lot of people when I was out canvassing who knew and liked Graham (Sussum) and I want to carry on the good work.

"The main thing to look at is the cuts that have just been announced, how they will impact on the Core Strategy of the council which is under consultation and how people in my area will be affected."

On HS2 he added: "I am fortunate enough not to live in sight of the proposed line but it doesn't seem to have any economic benefits for the area so it should be opposed."

Following the close run battle in Great Missenden, Mr Berry said: "The Conservatives got a fright last night. Having been one of the safest Tory seats in the Chilterns, Great Missenden is now an ultra marginal for next May's full Council elections.

"I said I would run a positive campaign on the issues and on my track record in the village and that's exactly what I did.

"And throughout the campaign I said that I would not turn HS2 into a party political issue - and I meant it. All the candidates at this by-election opposed HS2 as do all the local political parties and that's what I told people throughout the campaign.

"Now it's time for all of us, regardless of party affiliation to work together to fight the threat to our village and countryside.

"That must of course include keeping up the public pressure on local MPs who hold Ministerial office."