Safe Tory seat in Yorkshire falls to Lib Dems in huge swing put down to 'general unhappiness' among voters

By Alexandra Wood
Published 8th Apr 2022, 12:45 BST
Updated 8th Apr 2022, 14:39 BST
A safe Conservative seat fell to the Lib Dems in a huge swing put down to a "general unhappiness" with the Tories among voters.

Anger over the granting of planning permission for a huge Amazon warehouse at North Ferriby was also expressed on doorsteps, Lib Dems said.

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The by-election for the South Hunsley seat on Thursday followed the death of Conservative Coun Vanessa Walker at the age of 66 in January.

Lib Dem Margaret Corless was elected with a 54.7 per cent share of the vote, a 35 per cent swing, with the Tories taking 36.8 per cent of the vote.

The seat was previously one of the Conservative's safest seats on East Riding Council Pic: Rui Vieira/PA WireThe seat was previously one of the Conservative's safest seats on East Riding Council Pic: Rui Vieira/PA Wire
The seat was previously one of the Conservative's safest seats on East Riding Council Pic: Rui Vieira/PA Wire

Lib Dem leader David Nolan said Amazon was a factor, but there was anger at the Government in general.

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He said: "It's just a sense they are not listening, there's the cost of living, Partygate, Rishi Sunak's wife - a general sense of unhappiness and wanting to give the Conservatives a kicking for not listening."

The death of Councillor Walker, who held the East Riding adults and health brief on the authority's cabinet, came after she was diagnosed with cancer in March last year.

Related topics:Lib DemsYorkshireAmazon

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