Results of the Folkestone Harvey West District and Town by-elections

The Shepway District and Folkestone Town by-elections for Harvey West ward were held on Thursday 23rd October. Both by-elections were caused by the death of longstanding Conservative Councillor and ex-Mayor George Bunting.

Shepway District Council Result:

• Helen Barker [Conservative] 385 (elected}
• Jasmine Heywood [Green] 61
• Stephen Jardine [UKIP] 293
• Nicola Keen [Labour] 57
• Hugh Robertson-Ritchie [Liberal Democrats] 262

Folkestone Town Council result:

• Christian Bones [Conservative Party] 348 (elected)
• Jasmine Heywood [Green] 63
• Stephen Jardine [UKIP] 281
• Dylan Jeffrey [Labour] 94
• Hugh Robertson-Richie [Liberal Democrats] 258

The Conservatives held both seats with a massively reduced majority, with UKIP and the Liberal Democrats both within 130 votes of taking each seat.

The Green Party and Labour trailled badly in 4th and 5th in both seats, as they did in the recent Harvey Central ward by-election.

Liberal Democrat candidate Hugh Robertson-Ritchie has thanked those that voted for him and supported his campaign. Hugh said:

"Thank you so much to all those that supported me and worked on my campaign in Harvey West. Its been an enjoyable campaign and there was a really excellent response and much encouragement on the doorstep across the ward."