Labour retain seat in Royston Palace by four votes

Voters went to the polls on Thursday, October 17 to elect a replacement for Chris Hinchliff, who stepped down as ward councillor following his election as MP for North East Hertfordshire.

Sarah Lucas, the Labour candidate, won with 302 votes – just four more than Liberal Democrat candidate Gill Lewis, who came second on 298 votes.

Sarah Lucas with Cllr Daniel Allen, leader of North Herts Council (Image: Labour Party) Conservative candidate Callum Bartram-Bell came third on 280 votes, Reform UK’s John Froggett finished fourth on 196 votes, while Green candidate Peter Wilkin came fifth on 88 votes.

It means Labour continue to have 25 councillors on North Herts Council, with the Liberal Democrats on 19 and the Conservatives on seven.

There are 51 seats in total, with Labour currently running a minority administration.

Speaking after her victory, Cllr Lucas said: "I could not be more pleased with the result, or more honoured that my fellow residents have put their trust in me to be their representative.

"I am excited to join my fellow Royston Palace councillor Cathy Brownjohn, and other Labour & Co-operative councillors across the district, in getting to work for Royston and North Hertfordshire.

"During the campaign, I pledged to stand up for inclusion, equality, and opportunity.

"I meant it then and I mean it now when I say that I want to hear from residents about their concerns, needs, and what they care about.

"I am committed to making sure that we succeed together."

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Last time this ward was fought, in this year’s local elections in May, Labour won both seats with 581 votes for Cathy Brownjohn and 546 votes for Chris Hinchliff.

Conservative candidates Jean Green and Paul Fletcher won 376 and 337 votes respectively, while Liberal Democrat candidates Emma Squire-Smith and Gill Lewis won 362 and 334 votes respectively. Independent candidate Lisa Adams won 195 votes.

Turnout for the by-election was 27.3 per cent, down from 34.7 per cent in this ward in May.