Abbey Ward
| Ann Blacklock | Liberal Democrats | 932 |
| Andrea Wooller | Conservative Party | 919 |
| Margi Levy | Labour Party | 339 |
Turnout 33.6%
LUCKY 13 FOR LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
This by-election was automatically called due to Lib-Dem councillor, Jill Wane, not attending any meetings in six months. But the Lib-Dems hung onto the seat by the skin of their teeth, by just 13 votes. It was the one of the closest fought elections in a long time.
Ann Blacklock was the victorious candidate which will be her first time on the town council. She said of the count; “It was very exciting, we knew it was going to be close and had a good chance”. We knew we had support for Liberal Democrats policies but we did not know if they would turnout on the day.
Defeated Tory candidate, Andrea Wooller, said that there had been no tears and she had enjoyed the campaign. I have no hard feelings and I phyically could not have done anymore. I did my best. However, she is looking forward to fighting in Abbey Ward again, in next year’s election.
Only about a third of all the registered electors bothered to vote, which is typical of many by-elections, especially at this time of the year.
It was vital the Liberal Democrats retained their seat. If the Tories had have been successful, the council would have been locked on 8 seats-a-piece. This would have made an interesting situation at Southbank Road. As it turned out the LIb-Dems retained their slender two seat majority – but it would only last a few months.
Kenilworth Town Councillors
9 Liberal Democrats (A. Blacklock, D. Shilton, J. Rawson, H. Harrison, D. Golby, J. Bastock, H. Thomas, P. Ryan, H. Pavier)
7 Conservative Party (M. Coker, P. Edwards, B. Wooller, G. Windybank, P. Cox, F. Bunker, P. Spillman)