Local Conservatives had a fantastic result in the Washington East by-election on Thursday 28th September, caused by the resignation of the previous Labour Councillor, gaining the seat with a majority of 202 votes. The winning candidate was Angela Cuthbert who joins her husband Ian as the second Conservative Councillor for this Ward on Sunderland City Council. They will be a great team as Ian has already shown himself to be a very active Councillor since his election last May

Full credit must go an excellent campaign organised to the last detail by Angela and Ian, along with the many Councillors and members who spent countless hours either canvassing or delivering leaflets over many weeks. It was a real team effort and there was a great deal of satisfaction for a job well done.

There is no doubt that the Labour Party fully expected to hold this seat and you could sense the acute disappointment when the result was announced. The Liberal vote was halved from the May 2007 election.

So the Conservative Party have had three Councillors elected in Washington in the space of around 5 months, after being without a single one for 30 years. That is real progress and gives active members and supporters alike much hope for the future.