Lib Dems Win Sidemoor Byelection and Become Joint Largest Opposition Party

The Liberal Democrats won the Sidemoor byelection on Thursday 19th September, making them tied as the largest opposition party on Bromsgrove District Council.

James Clarke, the new councillor for Sidemoor, won the seat from the Labour Party, marking the first time that the Liberal Democrats have ever won the seat. Although historically regarded as a "safe" seat for Labour Party, they fell from first place into third, polling 17% of the vote against the Liberal Democrats' 53%.

Councillor James Clarke thanked the residents of Sidemoor for putting their trust in him and is looking forward to getting stuck into the issues residents raised with him during the campaign.

He commented: "The people of Sidemoor have been let down by both the two main parties for far too long and they have voted for change. I am incredibly grateful for the support of Sidemoor residents and I'm excited to hit the ground running to address the points raised with me during this campaign, from housebuilding to tackling congestion to keeping our area clean, I will continue to be an active campaigner to improve Sidemoor."

Councillor Robert Hunter who leads the Liberal Democrats on Bromsgrove District Council welcomed James to the team saying: "James has worked incredibly hard for the residents of Sidemoor and I'm delighted to welcome him to our team of councillors. The Liberal Democrats are continuing to grow across Bromsgrove and we now have six seats on the council, our largest ever number. As the joint largest opposition party on the Council we will continue to be a constructive opposition to the ruling Conservative and Independent group."