Adey Triumphs in Hoxne

11.45.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 28th Jul 2005

Dr Evelyn Adey became the 11th Liberal Democrat on Mid Suffolk District Council

In a reversal of recent rural election results in Suffolk, Liberal Democrats Dr Evelyn Adey emerged triumphant tonight, taking the Hoxne Ward on Mid Suffolk District Council in a knife-edge contest from the Tories.

The result:

Hoxne Ward

Liberal Democrats Evelyn Adey 308 (46.9% +9.64%)

Labour 54 (8.2% +8.2%)

Conservatives 295 (44.9% -17.83%)

Majority 13

Turnout 40.3%

Last fought 2003

Faced with the additional hurdle of a Labour candidate (compared with the 2003 District elections when the Seat was last fought), Hoxne and Central Suffolk & North Ipswich Liberal Democrats put on what was arguably their best election campaign yet in a local party that is experiencing significant growth in membership, electoral support and team spirit.

The election came about following the sad death of councillor Chris Lawrence, who in turn took the redrawn Seat from the Lib Dems two years ago.

A delighted Dr Adey thanked her new constituents and the Lib Dem team. The area has a long history of Liberal and Liberal Democrat support and she was pleased to be able to tap into it and make it count.

CSNI Lib Dems Parliamentary Spokesman Andrew Houseley was delighted at the result: "This was good Lib Dem campaigning, as Liberal Democrats in local government in Suffolk. Just what we need after some disappointing County Council results, particularly in the rural parts of Suffolk. It shows that we know what we're doing when it comes to campaigning of this type and I think we will go from strength to strength here. Where we work we win.

"I was particularly heartened that Evelyn picked up in her campaign the bleak prospect of the closure of Hartismere Hospital, the loss to the local communities of which with her medical background she is well qualified to appreciate."