PCC ELECTIONS: Runners-up pleased despite election defeat

Sussex PCC candidates as the first preferences votes are announced at the East Sussex National. SUS-160605-153928001

The three runners up in this year's Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner election have expressed being pleased with their support after being eliminated from the running.

Conservative candidate Katy Bourne took 41.78 per cent of the first preference vote with Labour’s Michael Jones receiving 22.25 percent.

Since Mrs Bourne did not gain 50 per cent of the first preference votes she will go into a run-off with Mr Jones where second preferences will be counted.

UKIP candidate Patrick Lowe said he was ‘tremendously pleased’ with the growth of support for his party.

He said: “We have done extraordinary well in terms of being the alternative option to the present incumbent.

“Up until the last result it looked like I was in the running to be in the next round.

“I would like to thank everyone who came out and voted for me.”

Meanwhile Liberal Democrat candidate James Walsh said the results showed the party was back on track and could be serious challengers in Sussex by the next general election.

He said: “I am very pleased with the result compared to our showing in the general election last year in the whole of Sussex.”

He added: “I never expected to win but to have begun the climb back for the Liberal Democrats in Sussex. It is a very pleasing result.”

James Doyle, candidate for the Green Party, said despite coming fifth he was pleased with the party’s first campaign in a Sussex PCC election.

He said: “We got nearly ten per cent of the vote which considering we have a very limited reach in most of Sussex I think it is a really really good start.

“I always knew it would be a first step for the Green Party and we have made a good first step which is a step in the right direction.”

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