When out electioneering and voting I always think of how it is difficult, dangerous and practically impossible for people trying to exercise their democratic right in other countries and I thought about the people in Northern Africa trying to spread democracy and accountability as well as attempting to build a better life for themselves and their loved ones. I often feel good that we live in a country where democracy still reigns and that people have the free choice to tell a politician that they are not interested when they knock on their door asking for their vote.
Another thing that strikes me at election time is how lovely people are when you approach them in the campaign. What I really enjoy in Southcote is the civilised way people go about their electioneering of how friendly people were even though they did not agree with my viewpoint, long may it continue. However, I did not meet any Lib Dem voters or Lib Dem activists, which seems par for the course nowadays.
The result in Southcote was excellent with Cllr Pete Ruhemann achieving 56% of the vote. The full result is:
Cllr Pete Ruhemann Labour, 1543
Robert Vickers Conservative 858
Lib Dem 193
Green 157.
Labour majority 685.
In national elections the Conservatives in the South have done well but in Reading the swing against them was 8.9%. The swing to Labour from Conservatives in Southcote was 10.3%, one of the highest since 1990.
Labour won the biggest share of the vote, 17788 to the Conservative share of 15223. This goes to show we now have a mandate to form the ruling group.
Whatever happens in the next few weeks Southcote Councillors will continue to represent everyone in Southcote, regardless of their political views.
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