LIBERAL Democrat Sam Ammar has taken the Bromsgrove South seat in the Worcestershire County Council by-election.
Ms Ammar came second in May behind Reform UK’s Gaynor Jean-Louis by just 89 votes on the same day that Reform UK took control of Worcestershire County Council.
She has since stood down due to ill health, triggering this by-election.
Sam Ammar took tonight’s victory with 1,416 votes – 505 more than Reform UK’s Philip Hingley.
In truth, like in May, this was a two-horse race. The Conservatives – which had current Redditch Borough Councillor and former leader of that authority standing – finished way down with just 309 votes. Labour’s candidate Laura Rollins only managed to poll 92.
The turn-out for this one is 30 per cent and 2,735 votes have been cast.
Speaking to the Standard afterwards, Coun Ammar thanked everyone who voted for her.
She said: “I’m very humbled with the way so many people came out to vote for me and I am humbled.
“I think people have looked at my work and the work of the Liberal Democrats and liked what they saw and I feel privileged they have put their trust in me.
“Bromsgrove is a beautiful community and I am honoured to now be able to serve more people through this county council seat, as well as those I serve through my role as a district councillor.”
And she thanked everyone who had supported her and campaigned with her.
“We have had 50 people from the West Midlands Liberal Democrats, the Worcestershire branch and the national party – it really was a mobilisation for the campaign and we have so much passion for the work we do.
“And we have been rewarded for all our efforts.”
She concluded by thanking the other candidates and wished them well for the future.
“Without them, we would not have a true working democracy,” she added.
