THE vacant seat on Tavistock Town Council was last week won by the Conservative candidate David Farrant, with a convincing win over his nearest rival. Mr Farrant, a retired serviceman and former Kelly College student, polled 283 votes in the election. Mr Farrant said he was ?absolutely thrilled? to have won the seat. He said: ?I thoroughly enjoyed canvassing and meeting people. ?I really am very thrilled, although I very much appreciate that although I won by 60 votes, with six people standing there were more votes for other people than there were for me, so I realise I have a lot of representing to do.? Meanwhile, Alex Wood, Mr Farrant?s closest rival who polled 223 votes, has hit out at ?interference? in the election as ?a denial of democracy?. Due to what he described as a ?minor legal technicality?, Liberal Democrat Mr Wood was prevented from using the word ?Liberal Democrat? on the ballot paper. Papers already printed with this designation had to be shredded and reprinted and although the objection was overturned, it was too late for a further reprint. Mr Wood said: ?The effect was that many Liberal Democrats were prevented from fully exercising their choice on the postal ballots on July 12 and on voting day last Thursday. ?They didn?t know a Liberal Democrat was on the ticket, so didn?t come out to vote. Or if they did vote, they may have voted for another candidate in error. ?Whatever, the result was that the town council seat vacated by a Liberal Democrat councillor was captured by a Local Conservative. This election was not a true test of democracy. ?Nevertheless, we accept the result, and look forward to working with David Farrant on progressing North Ward issues.? The Independent candidate and former mayor of Tavistock, Marjorie Corner, polled 143 votes; Geri Laithwaite, 119; Tim Wiggans, 65 and Harry Smith, 44. The Tavistock North seat became vacant when Liberal Democrat Roy Connelly stepped down. Cllr Connelly remains a member of West Devon and Devon county councils. Turnout in the election was 23.26%. The make up of the town council is now four Conservative, four Liberal Democrat, one Labour, eight independent.
