Returning Tories thank West Berkshire voters

Despite a huge Lib Dem win at the local elections, returning Conservative councillors have thanked their voters.

In the 43 seats at the district table, 11 are held by the Tories, with many returning to the post for the second or third term.

Among them was councillor for Aldermaston Dominic Boeck who retained his seat by a landslide.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted to be elected for the third time.

“I would like to thank all the electors, my agent, thank you to the officers and candidates here today.”

In Bradfield, Ross Mackinnon returned, again beating his Lib Dem and Labour opponents by a long way.

“Thank you very much,” he said.

“A huge thanks to the residents of Bradfield, it is a huge honour and privilege to represent them again.

“Thank you to my colleagues, agents and everyone who helped with the campaign.

“It is not the result we hoped for but I will do my best, thank you very much.”

In Chieveley and Cold Ash Paul Dick won a seat at the table alongside Lib Dem councillor Heather Codling.

Mr Dick, a well-known figure in the community as former headteacher of Kennet School in Thatcham, thanked the electorate and vowed to fight hard for them.

He said: “I would like to say thank you so much to the staff who have worked really hard to make a smooth and impressive event throughout.

“Congratulations and keep up the good work.

“Congratulations to the residents of Chieveley and Cold Ash who voted for me because I am going to fight really hard, not for any party but for them.”

Conservative Clive Hooker also held his seat comfortably in the Downlands ward.

He said: “Thanks to the residents for putting their confidence in me and voting for me for another four years.

“I look forward to supporting you. Thank you all very much indeed.”

In Lambourn, Howard Woollaston held his seat and said he felt very proud, thanking all those who voted for him.

Returning to Tilehurst Birch Copse was Jo Stewart but this time – a first for West Berkshire Council – she returned alongside a Labour councillor.

The Conservative councillor said: “Thank you so much. I want to say thank you to all my colleagues; thank you to residents of Tilehurst and Birch Copse.

“I am thrilled to represent you again.

“I want to say thank you to my ward husband Tony Linden. I will miss you on the campaign trail.”

Mr Linden, who has served as a councillor almost continuously for the past 40 years, was not re-elected in Thursday’s elections.

Both Biyi Oloko and Richard Somner held their seats in Tilehurst South and Holybrook with Mr Somner thanking the electorate for giving him another four years.

He said: “Thank you to everybody, to all those who supported the work we have done today.

“Thank you to the residents who voted for me and my college Biyi. We look forward to another four years serving Tilehurst.

“It is a great place to be, a great place to live and I am glad to live in it.”

Other Conservatives elected in West Berkshire were Paul Christopher Stephen Kander and Jane Langford in Tilehurst and Purley and Dennis Benneyworth for Hungerford.