One things has been very clear in this local election. The Conservative Party will allow free parking in the car parks in Abingdon. This will help traders and as a result many of them supported the conservatives during the election.
After the elections the Town Council now has 11 Conservatives, 9 Lib-Dems, and 1 Labour.The Vale district council now has 31 Conservative, 19 Lib-Dems, and 1 Labour.
I was one of the defeated Lib-Dems and feel it was a great privilege to work for Abingdon on the town council for the last 8 years.
you were one of the good guys and i am so sorry to see you go.
Sorry to see you leave the town council, Alistair!! I hope you’ll choose to run again next time, as an Independent.
Such a shame, Alastair, as National politics have been used to obscure the good work you’ve done in Abingdon, not least this blog. In retrospect I think it will be recognised that Clegg did sacrifice his party for the general good and stability, though no solace for local LibDem politicians. However, now we can look forward to free parking, which, surely, the Cons will not renege on and which will be available by the end of the month.
I don;t know much about politics, but will be very sorry to see you go. Good representatives of a town are few and hard to find. Keep up the blog and all your wonderful photographs. Best wishes!
Abingdon will miss you greatly. We loved meeting you when we lived in the town. Do hope the blog continues.
Sorry to hear that Alistair. You were not my ward but it has always been very obvious that you care deeply about the Town.
I am mystified that Caldecott don’t want to keep you on the town council.
So sorry to hear that you were not re-elected. You care so much about the town and your blog is wonderful.
It is an enormous shame, Alistair, I was furious on your behalf. I hope you will be able to carry on your good work for the town in another way.
What a great loss for the town, I agree with all of the comments above.
where can I find the full results of the elections?
Results are at … Elections at the Vale . Thanks for the kind comments. Good luck to the new councils. I may well use the experience I have gained in other ways now I have been cut loose, and will visit some council meetings to report back here what is going on.
Sorry you didn’t get re-elected. I agree with newcomer. I think a lot of people have been influenced by national politics. You’ve put a lot into Abingdon and I’m sure everybody really appreciates that.
Good riddance to the Lib Dems! They make me laugh when they blame national policies for the results of the elections. Take it from me, it’s got nothing to do with Nick Clegg and co. A lot of people on Abingdon believe that that they have wrecked Abingdon with their mismanagement. They have had enough and wanted a change.
I only hope the tories can now start to implement policies to try and reinvirgorate the toen.
They do have one idea to reinvigorate the town… Free Parking.
Will miss you at Phab Mayors Challenge next year, you had a good chance of winning!!!!!!!maybe…..
Col.
A very bold move by the chamber of commerce to nail their party political colours to the mast so visibly and urge their customers to vote Conservative. I admire their courage, but question their business acumen. When shops start acting party politically there is always the risk that their customers will start shopping party politically.
Let’s hope that the new administration is capable of delivering on their promise, and that free parking delivers the increase in footfall that traders are hoping for. Maybe then the risk will have been worth it.
Would also add that it is a crying shame for Backstreeter to be voted off the council just before he was due to become mayor. There are few councillors I have ever encountered in any council who have such devotion to their patch. It would have been so fitting for Backstreeter to have worn the chain for a year.
Looking forward to the new District Council implementing free parking in the very near future. However, the Conservatives have not made it clear whether they will get the County Council to stop charging for on-street parking in Abingdon. Has anybody else heard?
Be careful, Millihelen. Holding your breath for too long can cause permanent injury.
I agree with David of Abingdon, 18 above; (not with Nick, however!). I hope you are still able to do this blog….