Sir David Davis celebrates the election Victoria Aitken as the new Howdenshire ward councillor
As reported in the Goole Times:
Victoria was named as the winner of the by-election on Thursday (May 2) with 1,573 votes with a turnout of 29.97 per cent.
However, the election followed the national trend with a strong performance by UKIP candidate Dr Clive Waddington, who came second with 1,260 votes.
Delighted at the result, she told the Goole Times yesterday: “I am thrilled at the opportunity to represent the people of Howdenshire on the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and I would like to say thanks to them for taking the time and care to elect me.
“Already my diary is filling up with parish council meetings, events and appointments with residents who have an issue which I hope to be able to help them with.”
Although Victoria was only elected last week, she has already been to East Riding Council’s headquarters at County Hall in Beverley, and has been briefed on issues surrounding Gilberdyke tip by chairman of Newport Parish Council Roy Hunt.
She also attended Holme on Spalding Moor community support day yesterday (Wednesday), where she enjoyed meeting residents and representatives of many different organisations to discuss support and services available to the community.
Keen to get stuck into the community, Victoria said: “I would like to encourage anyone in the Howdenshire area who has a query, problem or a good news story to please contact me and I will try and help wherever possible.
“Howdenshire is a very large geographical area so please can residents keep me aware of their own local issues.
“I am grateful for the support of Sir David Davis who will be working closely with me on many local matters.”
Ms Aitken said she will be working closely with Mr Davis along with Gilberdyke and Newport parish councils to “try and achieve the best possible result for the community.”
The by-election was triggered by police and crime commissioner Matthew Grove and his deputy Paul Robinson stepping down from their roles as East Riding councillors in the Mid-Holderness and Howdenshire wards.
Paul tweeted after the result was announced: “Well done to Victoria Aitken in winning Howdenshire by-election for the Conservatives. She’ll be a great ERYC councillor.”
It was a double victory for the Conservative party, as fellow candidate John Holtby won the place on the Mid-Holderness ward with 1,353 votes with a voter turnout of 30.67 per cent.
For the Howdenshire ward, Clive Waddington, of the UK Independence Party, gained 1,260 votes, Labour candidate Mike Whitley gained 563 votes and Liberal Democrat candidate Alan Luckraft received 212 votes.
Figures show that the highest turnout was at Broomfleet Village Hall, where there was a 36.2 per cent turnout.
Victoria can be contacted via email at councillor.aitken@eastriding.gov.uk or by phone on 077214116620.