Westbury welcomes new councillor

A NEW councillor has been elected to the Westbury West ward of the town council after a three-way election on Thursday 12th July, where Joshua Charles, Lib Dem, was elected after a 16.21% turnout.
A vacancy became available in the Westbury West Ward when cllr David Tout resigned. Three candidates were in the running; Conservative candidate, Christopher Newbury; Labour candidate Pamela Kettlety and Liberal Democrat candidate, Joshua Charles.
There was a 16.21% turnout with 641 ballot papers issued, with 4 rejected. Joshua Charles received 258 votes over Christopher Newbury’s 223 and Pamela Kettlety’s 156.
Joshua Charles said, “It’s a fantastic result! I couldn’t have done it without the support from my team and cllr Gordon King who helped me out. Also, the supporters and deliverers who came out and knocked on doors and did all the fun campaigning stuff. I think the message really got through.”
Joshua, who is 23 years old and a recent graduate from university, where he studied politics, is new to the Westbury area, moving recently from Melksham.
Joshua continued, “I’m really starting to get to grips with the town after walking through the estates during campaigning. The summer party was a particular highlight – my girlfriend and I really enjoyed it and it was great to see so many people out and about in the town.
“In the last year I have really been getting involved in local politics and saw the opportunity to get involved here in Westbury. I always wanted to support the town, whether I was elected or not, so it was kind of fitting that I would go for something if the opportunity was there.
“I hope to bring energy to the council and views of a different perspective. I have the enthusiasm and the passion, which shows as I’m still standing after three weeks of campaigning! I’m hoping to shake things up a bit and get stuck in.
“One of my first ideas for the town is to tend to the weeds and overall aesthetics of the town. People may not feel as proud of their town if they don’t see that it’s looking nice. It will help bring investment to the town because businesses will see that the town is looking after itself”
“Finally I just want to say a huge thank you to all who voted, I really couldn’t have done it without the support from people on their doorsteps, and who I spoke to on the phone and they gave me the energy to keep going.
“Even if they weren’t voting, they were all very polite and welcoming, which is great for someone who is fairly new to the town to see and hear.”