Letter: Election ups and downs

On behalf of the Dewsbury County Conservative Association, I am writing to send commiserations to former Dewsbury MP Simon Reevell on his narrow defeat in last Thursday’s General Election and to thank him for his contribution during his five years in charge. Everyone within the organisation wishes him well with whatever he decides to do in future.

I would also like to congratulate Dewsbury’s newly elected MP Paula Sheriff on her victory after putting in two years of hard work into her campaign. The battle for the Dewsbury seat was hard fought, but overall a fair fight, which suggests the area is going someway to ridding itself of the much maligned reputation left behind by the last Labour MP to win this seat.

On a personal note, I would like to thank everyone who voted for me in the local election for Dewsbury East. I was happy to finish second again after finishing a disappointing third to the UKIP candidate last year. Congratulations to Coun Eric Firth on his win.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In Dewsbury South, we lost Salim Patel as a councillor. Again, the association sends commiserations and its thanks for several years contribution to the area.

Naturally, as an association we were all disappointed we lost the Dewsbury seat, but at the same time absolutely delighted at David Cameron’s re-election on the back of a Conservative majority.

Congratulations must also go out to our local candidates – Kath Taylor in Mirfield, John Taylor in Kirkburton and Michael Watson in Denby Dale, who all won by significant margins.

Much could depend on proposed boundary changes, but with only a 1,451 Labour majority, the battle to win back the Dewsbury seat starts now. As an association we will be working hard to ensure a continued presence in and around the constituency throughout the next five years, not just in the short run up to 2020.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dewsbury Conservatives and councillors will continue to hold monthly street stalls in all parts of the constituency and we would encourage anyone with any issues to come talk to us.

Mark Eastwood

Deputy chairman political,

Dewsbury County Conservative Association

Send your letters to [email protected] or write to Reporter Series, Floor 5, 26 Whitehall Road, Leeds, LS12 1BE.

Related topics: