“Nobody is entitled to anyone’s vote – it has to be earned”
If you don’t think your vote matters, tell that to Tom Wust and Nathalie Page, both contesting The Nedge at one of this week’s by-elections in Telford.
At the recent by-election results, there is a bit of time for candidates, agents and observers to chat and speculate ahead of the count starting in earnest. While you might see spats and disagreements at Council Meetings and especially on Social Media, in person, most are agreeable and civil to each other.
We shouldn’t lose sight of the reason why most people go into politics – and that’s because they want to make things better. This might get beaten out of them later, but I hold onto that and let them prove me wrong, as one or two have done so far.
I guessed the turnout might have been low. November by-elections with no change of council at stake, do not make for a motivated electorate. It came in at a shade over 22% in both areas being contested – The Nedge (Stirchley. Hollinswood, Randlay) and Hadley & Leegoemery.
Before a ballot box had been opened, I spoke with a few candidates, ex-candidates, and agents. Stuart Parr was standing for the Conservatives in Hadley & Leegomery, he showed me his step count for the day – 48k. He still had two hours of pacing up and down the counting tables to go. There is no doubt that these candidates from any party who have an expectation to win, really work hard for your votes. Really hard. Quite literally, every vote is fought for, and every vote counts.
In 2015, Connor Furnival famously polled the same number of votes as Harvey Unwin, and after several recounts, the seat was decided by drawing straws. They don’t come closer than that.
As it transpired, The Nedge this week went to a recount, after the quantum of votes deciding the winner was just 15. After weeks of door knocking, leaflet posting, social media posts. After a full day of going back to voters who promised they would vote for you, and checking that they have. Fifteen.
A game of two halves
This is nail biting stuff for candidates and agents. There are no consolation prizes for second place. If this was a football match, then you would say that nothing was left on the pitch.
You might not know the name Alexander Latham-Reynolds, but he’s the unassuming backroom superstar agent who has run campaigns for Labour in Telford for years with a Haarland-like preciseness, Wiegman-like calmness and an enviable Klopp-like results set. A huge asset for any candidate running. His contribution can not be overestimated. You’ll be relieved to know that I’ve blown the final whistle on football analogies.
The candidates going toe-to-toe in the recount were Nathalie Page for Labour, and Tom Wust for the Conservatives. The recount was completed in about 20 minutes, the result broadly the same, Tom Wust reached across the table to shake hands, concede defeat and congratulate Nathalie Page, the victor.
I went across to the, now Cllr, Nathalie Page for a comment and photo, but this was point blank refused by fellow Borough Councillor, Ollie Vickers. Odd, given that a few minutes earlier Cllr Julie Kaur, the new Labour Councillor for Hadley and Leegomery, and no stranger to the pages of Telford Live!, was very gracious with a picture and few words for me to quote.
Hands up – I did have to correct the quote after my hasty post-election article was committed at around 1am in the dark while walking back to my car.
I did manage to catch up with Tom Wust on the way out of the hall whose disappointment was obvious, but was still inexplicably buzzing with energy.
How does it feel after coming so close to winning?
“A bittersweet feeling. With Labour having 54% of the vote just five months ago it was never going to be easy to get a result, so to achieve a 17% swing and come just 16 votes off is something I think to be proud of. The campaign was so positive, and the reception received on the doorsteps certainly had improved from earlier this year.”
Do you think you would have won if Reform didn’t stand?
“The easy thing to say would be yes, but I don’t believe that would be entirely truthful. To achieve 22% of the vote is some feat, though nowhere near what they achieved in the general election. It is our responsibility and ours only to rebuild and make sure that we achieve as many votes as we can. Nobody is entitled to anyone’s vote – it has to be earned. I got on and earned my votes.”
What does the picture look like going into the next Local Elections in 2027?
“Interesting. The political shift seen in Telford & Wrekin in just 5 years is phenomenal. From our 11,000 majority in 2019 to a wipeout earlier this year, and then to come 16 votes off winning shows that if you put the work in and actually do the job then people will support you.”
“2027 is all to play for, and to succeed we need to have a clear plan. Labour currently holds 70% of all seats on Telford & Wrekin Council, so to win overall may seem far fetched. But this Labour government is terrible, worse than anyone expected to the point where the Conservatives now have a 2-point lead in the polls. Who knows if we can succeed in defeating Labour. If this campaign is anything to go by, then I believe that it is just within our grasp.”
I doff my cap to all those who step up to be elected – Win or lose. I know that engagement on local politics is poor. I get that. The reason I stay up until silly o’clock reporting this, is because it’s bloody important. Just like your vote.
Pic: At the count Telford-Live!
