Boyd Valley
Winning candidates Marilyn Palmer and Ben Stokes
THE Tories’ other loss in the area was in Boyd Valley, where Liberal Democrat Marilyn Palmer topped the poll, ousting former Tory cabinet member Steve Reade in the process.
It was a return to the council for Marilyn, who had previously served the area as both a Pucklechurch parish councillor and a district councillor.
She said: “It’s a great privilege to be elected to represent Boyd Valley again on South Gloucestershire Council. I’m thrilled to be back and I would like to thank everyone for their support. I will work hard and do my very best for this special area.”
Marilyn was 82 votes ahead of the surviving Conservative candidate, Ben Stokes, who in turn was just 23 votes of Steve Reade.
A nearly 50-50 split in the vote saw the two Lib Dem candidates receive a combined total of 2,446 votes, one more than the Tories’ 2,445.
Full result:
Marilyn Palmer (LD): 1,316
Ben Stokes (Con): 1,234
Steve Reade (Con): 1,211
Neil Willmott (LD): 1,130
Andy Banwell (Reform UK): 155