12 May

Labour wins in Bridgwater and in Westover

Labour victory in Westover, but how will the Tories take it? "Ruff" says dog.
Labour victory in Westover, but how will the Tories take it? “Ruff” says dog.

Despite several nights of disappointment across the country the news from Bridgwater and here in Westover provides us with at least something cheerful to celebrate. All Labour councillors were returned to Westover with comfortable majorities and Labour retained control of Bridgwater Town Council with 14 seats to 1 Tory and 1 Lib Dem.

Kathy Pearce has written to the Mercury on behalf of herself, Brian Smedley and Pat Morley thanking the voters of Westover for their support and we would echo that here in the pages of the Westover Web.

On District council Kathy Pearce and Brian Smedley retained their seats in a strong challenge from local personality and Mercury Photographer , Jeff Searle and Carnivalite John Watts.

Kathy Pearce and Brian Smedley retain their District Council seats
Kathy Pearce and Brian Smedley retain their District Council seats

Bridgwater Westover Ward (Sedgemoor District)

  • Barbara Fisher (Liberal Democrats) 373
  • Kathy Pearce (Labour Party) 954 Elected
  • Jeffrey Searle (The Conservative Party) 767
  • Brian David Smedley (Labour Party) 878 Elected
  • John Douglas Watts (The Conservative Party) 634

Meanwhile on Bridgwater Town Council Brian retained his seat, Kath, who decided to stand for town as well this time, also won and Pat Morley, who had been elected previously in Fairfax, was re-elected but in Westover this time , which is where she has moved to.

Pat Morley becomes the 3rd Westover Town Councillor
Pat Morley becomes the 3rd Westover Town Councillor

Bridgwater Westover Ward (Bridgwater Town)

  • Jim Donoghue (The Conservative Party) 588
  • Barbara Fisher (Liberal Democrats) 408
  • Pat Morley (Labour Party) 829 Elected
  • Kathy Pearce (Labour Party) 922 Elected
  • Jeffrey Searle (The Conservative Party) 789
  • Brian David Smedley (Labour Party) 877 Elected
  • John Douglas Watts (The Conservative Party) 652

Westover Councillors to lead Town Council

In the first meeting of the new Town Council Labour Group Brian Smedley was elected as Group leader with Kath Pearce as Deputy Leader.

Smedley 'on a roll'. A bacon one
Smedley ‘on a roll’. A bacon one

Brian said “While the rest of the County fell for the Tory and UKIP politics of fear, the people of Bridgwater didn’t. We can be proud of that.  I think the local message is that people have had enough of Tory Sedgemoor ignoring the wishes of the people of Bridgwater and it’s time to fightback. We produced a manifesto which we delivered to every household and which we intend to honour and implement. First thing is to restore people’s faith in their own ability to change things for the better and to get engaged with that process. The Town Council is the closest elected body to the people who elect their representatives and we have to repay that trust. Watch this space.”

Westover’s County Councillor to be next Mayor

In another boost for Westover this week, Bridgwater South County Councillor Leigh Redman will be sworn in as the new Mayor of Bridgwater. The Bridgwater South  division is a combination of Hamp and Westover. Leigh also won his town council seat in Dunwear by a comfortable majority over the Conservatives 573-481.