Conservative newcomer Karan Persand came out on top of a tight county council by-election today, winning by just 21 votes.
From October 5: County councillor dramatically quits over inability to 'fit in with Epsom and Ewell Lib Dems'
The Liberal Democrats have now been wiped out in Epsom and Ewell, having lost each of their borough seats in this summer, and having failed to retain the Epsom West county seat Stella Lallement controversially vacated last month.
Surrey County Council
Conservative - 59
Residents' Association/Independents - 9
Liberal Democrats - 8
Ukip - 3
Labour - 1
Green Party - 1
The difference between Mr Persand and Labour's Kate Chinn in fourth was just 34 votes.
Hailing his victory as 'very, very pleasing', Mauritian-born Mr Persand said his first priorities at County Hall would be to 'fight to the bone' to keep open as many local services as possible.
Conservative candidate Karan Persand
He said: "I think voters responded to the fact I'm a fresh candidate, and I'm full of energy to work hard to represent all residents, not just the ones who voted for me.
"We ran a very good campaign, everyone worked so hard. And we had to because it was unbelievably close.
"But now we just have to crack on and put in the hard work for the people of Epsom West."
Conservative Karan Persand wins an insanely tight county council tight by-election by 21 votes. 34 votes between 1st and 4th #EpsomWest
— Ben Weich (@WeichBen) November 20, 2015
In second place was Neil Dallen of the Residents' Association, which has controlled the borough council for 80 years.
Residents' Association candidate Neil Dallen speaking with the Epsom Guardian's Ben Weich
Although he described the loss as 'disappointing', he admitted that 'the voters have spoken'.
He said: "It's hard to lose by so few votes.
"It's disappointing but that's politics. You win some and you lose some.
"But I'll continue to work as a borough council and represent residents to the best of my ability."
Con 612, RA 591, Lib Dem 588, Lab 578, Ukip 168, Greens 58 #EpsomWest
— Ben Weich (@WeichBen) November 20, 2015
Epsom and Ewell's Labour Party - which was 34 votes from sending its first candidate to county council in more than three decades - said the result was 'hard to take'.
Mrs Chinn said: "It was very close but there you go.
"It's encouraging though, and now we know where our vote is.
"We'll be back. We'll live to fight another day."
Labour borough councillor Vince Romagnuolo said his party might have won, had the Green Party not nominated a candidate.
He said: "The Greens got 58 votes. I would bet most of them came from our vote.
"With those extra votes Kate may well have got in."
Epsom and Ewell MP Chris Grayling, who arrived after the result, said the result means local people will have more of a voice in county council.
He said: "Epsom and Ewell have traditionally sent residents' Association and Lib Dems to county council.
"Now that we've got another Conservative in county council it means local people's needs will be better represented.
"Karan is a hard-working person. I think voters really responded to his energy and enthusiasm.
"He'll work very hard for local people and he'll make a good councillor."
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council chambers, where the count took place
In third came Liberal Democrat Julie Morris, who said her team ran a 'very good campaign'.
She said: "we've got a good record in local issues as a party and people responded to that on the doorstep."
The Liberal Democrats have now been wiped out in Epsom and Ewell, having lost each of their borough seats in this summer, and having failed to retain the Epsom West county seat Stella Lallement controversially vacated last month.
Polls were held across nine stations in the Epsom West division on Thursday, November 19 between 7am and 10pm, and the winner was elected by the first past the post system.
For updates on the Epsom West by-election, follow Epsom reporter Ben Weich on Twitter, who is at the count. Follow @WeichBen
Conservative - Karan Persand - 612
Residents' Association - Neil Dallen - 591
Liberal Democrats - Julie Morris - 588
Labour - Kate Chinn - 578
United Kingdom Independence Party - Robert Leach - 168
Green - Chris Cook - 58
Turnout: 24.66 per cent
More to follow.
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