Across Horsham the electorate provided a re-run of the 2005 County Elections, those who won then, did so again in 2009. There was no surge of support for the Tories, in fact they came close to loosing a seat in Holbrook.The County and European Elections came at a difficult time for Labour, having been in Government now, since 1997, however we can be proud of the campaign we ran, with candidates in all seats , providing the voters with an opportunity to register their support for Labour.
I would like to thank all of you who stuck with us. Your support has made our election campaign worthwhile and will encourage us to get back out there, campaigning on the issues that matter to so many Horsham people.
Issues that the Tories and Lib Dems barely mention: when do you ever hear a Lib Dem come out publicly in favour of building affordable homes for Horsham residents? When do you hear a Lib Dem challenge the Tories on their neglectful and downright disgraceful level of delivery on this most important issue? What more important an obligation does a Council have than to ensure all residents have access to a decent home ?
Rest assured we will be making the case for a minimum of 50% of the development in Broadbridge Heath, being affordable. If the Tories duck this issue and allow the developers to get away with a much reduced figure, the question we all need to ask is just for whose benefit are the Tories running the District ?
We will be renewing our campaign for the Greening of Horsham and equally important we will continue Street-Wise our campaign to keep our streets swept clean, safe and litter free.
Before I finish I would also like to thank all our Party members who signed nomination papers, stood as candidates, went door knocking and delivered thousands of leaflets, it was a great effort on all our parts.
We campaigned cleanly and with good grace.
For all of you who contacted me and complained about the dirty tricks that the Lib Dems undertook, by sending out a leaflet posing as the Labour Party, asking our voters to lend their vote to the Lib Dems, I have spoken to the Lib Dem agent and questioned the need to undertake such underhand behaviour. I feel it undermines and devalues the democratic process which frankly is in a precarious enough state at the moment, and doesn't need this type of campaign tactic from the Lib Dems.
I will be writing to the Lib Dems seeking an assurance that such behaviour wont be repeated in Horsham.
To end on a more upbeat note I would like to congratulate Brenda Smith and Chris Oxlade for being returned as Labour County Councillors in Langley Green and West Green and Bewbush and Ifield West.
David Hide
Chair Horsham Labour Party