Lib Dems celebrate by-election win in Great Paxton

The Lib Dems in St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire are celebrating a by-election win in the ward of Great Paxton.

Previously a Conservative-held seat, the Lib Dem candidate converted this into a victory.

When this seat was last contested in 2022, the Conservative candidate got 49% of the vote against 40% for the Lib Dem.

This time, James Catmur, the Lib Dem candidate, received 48% of the vote, with the Conservative dropping to 38%. This is a swing of 10% from Conservative to Lib Dems. Labour came in a distant third place.

James Catmur, the newly elected Lib Dem councillor for Great Paxton ward, said,

“I am so proud that the residents of the ward, where I have lived for 27 years, have put their faith and trust in me. Serving on the parish council of my village, I know well many of the issues that we face in this area and I can start trying to tackle them.”

Ian Sollom, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire, said,

“It is fantastic to have James Catmur elected to Huntingdonshire District Council. I’ve known James well for many years. He is a fantastic community campaigner who can also bring huge professional experience. He will make a difference to the lives of people in his ward and across the whole district.

“This result shows that Lib Dem support across St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire is surging. Following on the Lib Dem win at the Eatons by-election last year, it is clear that we are capable of winning against the Tories wherever we stand.

“People are fed up of being taken for granted by the Conservatives. Over recent months, I’ve spoken to thousands of residents across the constituency, and people are in despair with the state of our public services. Living in St Neots, I experience this daily myself. It is so hard to get an appointment at a GP. People have lost confidence in the management of the St Neots secondary schools. We desperately need new representatives with new ideas. We need a General Election as soon as possible, and when it comes I will be best placed to take on the Conservative candidate.”