News
Liberal Democrats win by elections in Ely for city and district councils
The by election was caused by the resignation of Rob Pitt as both city and district councillor
Elected to the City of Ely Council in a by election last September, Cllr Ross Trent made it a double yesterday (Thursday) by also winning another by election, this time to join East Cambridgeshire District Council.
He took nearly half the votes cast to win by a decisive margin over his Conservative challenger, David Ambrose Smith, and Adam Wilson, for Labour, who came in third.
The by election was caused by the resignation of Rob Pitt as both city and district councillor for Ely West.
Replacing him on the city council, in a separate vote yesterday, is William Novick, also a Liberal Democrat.
Cllr Will Novick
Cllr Trent said he had been encouraged to put himself forward to join Christine Whelan and Christine Colbert as part of the Lib Dem district council team.
He grew up in Guildford, but for many years has lived and worked in Ely as a self-employed cabinet maker.
“I really enjoy working for my customers, and I hope to be able to bring a practical focus and businesslike approach to the council,” he said.
“I love living and working in Ely. It’s a great place to bring up our daughter who attends a local primary school. It would be a privilege to represent the place where I live on the district council.”
Mr Pitt said he had stood down, reluctantly, because of work commitments and the pressure of balancing his family life with civic duties and personal wellbeing.
He said: “The scale and scope of my professional work in defence has expanded unexpectedly and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
“I have admired the warmth, generosity and energy for progress of my Liberal Democrat council colleagues—core values that I would hope everyone would find appealing.”
Great to be out supporting great Lib Dem candidates Ross Trent and Will Novick in the Ely West by election today! pic.twitter.com/OVPWDCZ66d
— Edna Murphy (@EdnaMurphy12) April 18, 2024
Cllr Novick is also a long-term resident of the city and is working towards qualifying as a paramedic.
“I love how Ely is small enough to feel like a village where people know each other, but big enough to have facilities for people to use and enjoy,” he said.
Best of luck to Adam Wilson and Amelia Quince today in the Ely West #ByElection. Let's elect Labour councillors who are ready to serve #Ely and East #Cambridgeshire. #VoteLabour https://t.co/O0D6uD1M6v
— James Bull (@JamesBullLabour) April 18, 2024
“When I’m not working or studying, I love cycling around Ely and nearby villages, so road improvements and road safety are very important to me.”
RESULTS:
Ely West Parish (East Cambridgeshire District Council)
David Ambrose Smith (Con) 760
Ross David Trent (Lib Dem) 1125
Adam Wilson (Labour) 466
Total votes cast: 2374
Turn out: 33.28 per cent
Ely West (Ely City Council)
Jafar Mirza (Ind) 105
Jane Morgan (Ind) 724
William Novick (Lib Dem) 959
Ed Perrin (Ind) 73
Amelia Quince (Lab) 449
Total votes cast: 2367
Turn out: 33.19 per cent
