Last Thursday, May 4, 2023 was a day to remember: it was election day and in the local Rother elections Rye and Winchelsea ward had six candidates standing.
The candidates were Cheryl Creaser (Labour, 608 votes), Simon McGurk (Labour, 606 votes), Guy Harris (Liberal Democrat, 506 votes), Chris Hoggart (independent, 355 votes), Gennette Stevens (Conservative, 435 votes) and Jayne Stevens (Conservative, 371 votes).
Voting was slightly different this year with voters being required to provide proof of identity before being able to register their vote but the voters turned out despite this somewhat controversial new government directive.
At 6:40pm on Friday, May 5, the result for the Rye and Winchelsea seats was announced. It has been described as a red letter day as constituents voted Labour with Cheryl Creaser and Simon McGurk being elected locally. The Conservatives lost five of their previously held 15 seats, Labour gained an additional five seats and the Liberal Democrats holding of seven seats remained unchanged. The Green Party gained two extra seats and the independents have seven councillors. Nationally the Conservatives lost over 1,000 seats with Labour gaining 536 seats.
Congratulations to Cheryl and Simon whose pre-election statements were published in Rye News and whose pledges included fighting to save Rye pool, championing local businesses, greener transport, more affordable housing and a fairer, greener future.
Helena Dollimore, parliamentary candidate for Hastings and Rye tweeted: “We did it! Rye is a Labour gain x2. Rye and Winchelsea now has two fantastic Labour councillors who will work their socks off for you.”
