Ken Robson won a stunning victory in the recent By election in West Ward last Thursday.  Winning  55% of the vote and actually increasing voter turnout.
Peter Lewis Davies the Labour  candidate gained 268 votes
while Ken Robson Independent polled 334 votes  to win the election.The turnout was 14.3%  up from 13.4% last time.
Ken who is well known among other things for his work as Chairman of the ACORN Residents Association, Chair of the West Ward PACT Meetings, and Vice Chairman of the Great Aycliffe Residents Association, managed to overturn Labour’s  previous huge majority in the Ward.  Voting in the Ward was actually up on last time. Ken
managed to  not only hold the previous combined opposition vote but captured new voters and swayed Labour voters by gaining 103 votes on the last by election in that Ward. This is quite an achievement and reflects on his quality  as a hard working, outgoing and cheerful individual trying to improve things in the Town. Ken is generally pro Labour but values being Independent so he can speak out freely in
the public interest without being fettered by any party whip.
In a statement to Newton News Cllr Ken Robson said:
“I would like to personally and sincerely thank the residents of West Ward for their support and the many messages of congratulations received by email, phone and social media.   I am honoured and privileged to be able to represent you on the Town Council which I will to the best of my ability.
It is not easy to beat the Labour Party machinery,   but the people of West Ward have shown that there is room for good quality hard working, non Labour people on the Council.
I would also like to thank Cllr George Gray and Cllr Billy Blenkinsopp for their advice and assistance.
I share the same values as many Labour voters, but feel it  is important to be able to speak freely in the public interest without being ruled by the Party whip.
I look forward to serving you and thank you once again.
Cllr Ken Robson
35 Priestman Road
Tel .321471  Mob. 07743 046804. Email:  ken_robson@lineone.net