Great news from a new Lib Dem member in Swanley!

In covering council by-election results, I've often made reference to Jonathan Calder's excellent turn of phrase about how the Liberal Democrats need more good third places. As Jonathan wrote:

We will know the Liberal Democrats are thriving again when we regularly score 20 per cent in wards where we have no history of success.

All the more so when the 20% is scored by a new party members, bringing life back to areas where the party has been weak for a long time.

So a special shoutout to one of the candidates from last week's council by-elections, Krish Shanmuganathan (pictured above campaigning at Swanley railway station).

He secured bang on 20% in Swanley Christchurch and Village on Thursday 13 October.

What's more the Liberal Democrats did not fight the Swanley Christchurch and Village ward in any of the four previous rounds of council elections held since the ward was created.

Krish Shanmuganathan is a new member who joined the party after the European referendum:

Krish's career has spanned government and diplomacy, financial services and business consulting, living and working in five continents over the last 20 or more years.

He now runs his own business, and is dedicating more time to charitable activities.

Born at Livingstone Hospital in Dartford, Krish has returned to the area to use his diplomatic skills and business experience to ensure that the local council works for the people of Swanley, not the other way round.

He is an alumnus of Cambridge University, University of London and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in the US. He lives in Farningham.

Nice work Krish.