Sevenoaks Lib Dems buck national trend as Merilyn Canet gains District Council seat

Thank you

Local Liberal Democrats in Sevenoaks Northern ward Merilyn Canet, Iain Porter and Stuart Kennaugh, would like to thank all the supporters and residents who voted for the team in the Sevenoaks District and Town Council elections.

The local result was stunning, with Lib Dem Merilyn Canet elected to represent the ward on both councils - a gain for the Lib Dems. Lib Dems achieved 49% of the vote here, an amazing local vote of confidence given the brutal drop in the Lib Dem vote nationally to 8%.

Residents appreciated the hard work that our local team has put in, fighting for the issues that matter locally, speaking up for all parts of our community, putting forward a positive vision for Sevenoaks, and not least talking directly with many hundreds of residents on the doorsteps.

Congratulations

Unfortunately Iain Porter and Stuart Kennaugh narrowly missed getting enough votes to join Merilyn in representing the ward. However, Sevenoaks Northern will now have a strong hardworking Lib Dem councillor standing up for the whole community. Congratulations Merilyn.

We also congratulate the successful Conservative candidates in Sevenoaks Northern and hope they will work constructively with Merilyn in the best interests of all residents. There is much work to be done and the issues we campaigned for need to receive the proper focus from the Conservative led councils.

Overall in Sevenoaks District, local Lib Dems won two District Council seats and four Town Council seats, a great local result given the events in the general election.

The fightback

It's certainly not an easy time to be part of the Liberal Democrat movement. But the fightback is already underway! The Lib Dems have had 5,000 new members join the party since polling day! And our membership has just passed 50,000. Incredible. It looks like people across the country are coming together to stand up for liberal values.

If you voted Lib Dem in this election, consider joining the Lib Dems now. Everyone who joins the party right now will be able to vote in the leadership election. Go to www.libdems.org.uk/join

Support our local campaigns here in Sevenoaks. See this website or Iain Porter's blog iainkporter.weebly.com for more details or email action@sevenoakslibdems.org.uk