Crispin Blunt

Conservative Party | Reigate

Conservative Asian candidate Triumphs over BNP

Conservatives make further gains in Reigate and Banstead

Against a backdrop of nationwide gains for the Conservatives at yesterdays local elections, Conservative candidate Raj Rampertab saw off a challenge from the BNP and took a seat from the Liberal Democrats on Reigate and Banstead Borough Council. The last time the BNP stood in Merstham the controversial BNP candidate, Peter Philips, polled 299 votes. Yesterday that showing was down to 228 votes, a reduction of a third in their share of the vote the last time they stood. Peter Philips briefly courted national interest when he was a candidate to be President of the Royal Institute of British Architects. Speaking this morning, Crispin Blunt said:

“I am delighted that Raj has led the people of Merstham to reject the values of the BNP. Raj was a great candidate for the Conservatives and a combination of personal warmth towards him and the strong Conservative message has seen Conservatives coming out on top in Merstham. I am sure Raj will prove an excellent councillor.”

Elsewhere there were strong showings across the borough for Conservative candidates who retain overall control of the Council, holding 42 of the 51 seats. Labour and the Liberal Democrats lost three of their five seats they were defending in the Borough with the Conservatives taking Merstham and Earlswood from the Liberals and South Park from Labour. Crispin Blunt went on to say:

“Ten years ago when I was first elected Reigate and Banstead was run by a Labour/Liberal coalition now they can muster only three councillors between them. I am delighted to say that in the last ten years Conservative candidates have gone from strength to strength bringing youth and vitality as well as wisdom and experience to the Council. We now start from a very high base and there is always a danger that a local party can peak – well we have not peaked yet in Reigate. We have yet again won more seats. I pay tribute to the commitment and dedication of the candidates and offer my congratulations to those elected for the first time.”