Last night’s election results were bad for the Lib Dems in Bury. We lost another 3 Councillors. I am Chair of the local party, and here is a message I am sending to our members and supporters later today with my thoughts on the results:
Dear friends,
Election night in Bury was a bad night for the Liberal Democrats. We lost three seats in Prestwich as Labour increased their majority at the Town Hall.
Our unsuccessful Councillors – Vic D’Albert, Mary D’Albert and Ann Garner – have between them dedicated over 30 years to serving the local community and our party. I would like to personally thank them for their hard work over the years, and commiserate them on these results. My thanks also to our candidates in other wards, and for the many people who dedicated hours of their free time to the campaign over the last months. Thousands of people took the chance to vote Lib Dem in Bury as a result of your efforts. Thank you.
Vic D’Albert represented Holyrood ward for over 20 years. He was the first Lib Dem ever elected to Bury Council, and an inspiration to dozens of activists who worked with him over the years, including me. Many of us can say that we wouldn’t have become involved in local politics if it weren’t for Vic. He led every important political campaign in our community for over two decades, and his loss to the Council is one of the saddest aspects of an election where national issues trumped local ones.
Ann was a tireless local activist who fought for Sedgley, Prestwich and Bury for a decade and whose passion for local people and their concerns was unrivalled by any Councillor from any party I have worked with. Her service to the party locally, regionally and nationally is enormously valued, and will continue despite this defeat. Many people in Prestwich will be very sad that there is no longer a Garner on Bury Council.
Mary was my own ward colleague for four years, a hard-working and dedicated champion for the people of St Mary’s, and instrumental in many local improvements that I know the community are thankful for. Her service on the Council was only matched by her many years of behind-the-scenes dedication to the local party. I am very sad that she has lost the opportunity to continue on the Council.
These are tough times for our party, as they are for the country. I take heart from the fact that even though we’ve lost some support and some seats, we’re doing what we’re doing, locally and nationally, for the right reasons. When the country gets through the tough times, so will we. Some parties might be celebrating this morning, but theirs is a hollow victory. We are taking the tough choices and dealing with the tough consequences. There is honour in that, and I am proud to be a part of an honourable party.
The Lib Dems in Bury are here to stay. Even though we lost last night, our share of the vote in our target wards went up compared to last year, and it’s clear that people are slowly beginning to understand our role in making the country better again.
We have fewer Councillors now than before, but we still have activists and supporters young and old, across Bury, to spread the message of the Lib Dems and to build up our support again. It will come back.
Richard Baum
Chair