Labour wins Lewes by-election to take its first town council seat in decades

Emily Clarke was elected last night with 371 votes, ahead of the Green Party’s Milly Manley (327), Lib Dem Emilia Gladhaug (232) and Conservative Brenda Gough (76).

According to Lewes Labour, Ms Clarke is the party’s first town councillor in more than forty years.

After the result she said: ”Thank you to all the Lewesians who have put their faith in me. I promise to work harder than ever, with and for our amazing community. It is an honour to be the first Labour councillor elected in Lewes since 1979.

“I said during the by-election campaign that I would bring a new and distinctive, community-focused, voice to the Town Council and that is exactly what I’m going to do.”

The seat became vacant after a Lib Dem councillor stood down.

Ms Gladhaug, who finished third, said: “I really enjoyed my first campaign and am really looking continuing to campaign in the future. It’s been a rewarding challenge with a one year old baby at home, but she’s been out on the campaign trail with me too.

“I was pleased to stand alongside strong female candidates and I would like to congratulate Emily Clarke on being elected.”

Both the Greens and Lib Dems have seven councillors, there are three Independents and one Labour member on the town council.