LAST YEAR, there was a thumping turnout last year at the Homesteads. Tory, Pauline Tolson polled 1298 votes. Labour’s Richard Speight polled 1055 for a 45% turnout. Of course, the poll may have been boosted by the AV vote but neverthless, it illustrates the importance of such a seat.
You would have thought that the Tories would retain the seat. Indeed, if Labour fail to win overall control, it may be because not enough people who were disllusioned by Cameron and the coalition feel strongly enough to vote Labour.
It will be interesting to see if Peter Prendergast can add to his 485 votes from last year. It is a simple campaign but effective and now that people have seen him for the second year in a row, they may, just may give him a try.
Labour’s Liam Preston is one for the future and will enjoy cutting his teeth discussing the “squeezed middle”, “granny tax” and a host of zeitgeist issues in 2012.
Incumbent candidate, Sue MacPherson has become something of a peripheral councillor over the last two years. The one-time deputy leader has often been lauded by the opposition as the voice of reason and genuine Conservatism.
Certainly, anyone who has spoken to Sue on the subject of looked after children and a host of topics on education will know that Sue is the epitome of ‘one nation Conservatism”.
The Tory councillors will believe that they have worked hard enough to defend brownfield sites in the ward as well as express real concerns re anti-social behaviour in Balstonia Park.
Prediction: Cons hold: 195
Kirsty Louise Beard
Liberal Democrats
Liam Benjamin Preston
Labour
Peter Geoffrey Henry Prendergast
UK Independence Party
Sue MacPherson
Conservative
