Liberal Democrats win Trumpington by-election to retain Cambridge City Council seat

Liberal Democrat David Levien stormed to victory in yesterday’s (Thursday) Cambridge City Council by-election in Trumpington.

More than half of the votes cast were secured by Cllr Levien, who polled 1,017, with his nearest rival Labour’s Rahima Ahammed receiving just 427.

The Green Party candidate Ceri Galloway received 298 votes and the Conservative candidate Shapour Meftah secured 256.

The seat became vacant following the resignation on June 28 of former city councillor, Alan Cox, of Byron Square, Trumpington, who pleaded guilty to indecent images charges.

Cllr Levien said: “I am delighted to be joining the Lib Dem team and look forward to working with my fellow Lib Dem councillors on helping residents with all the issues they have been discussing with me on the doorstep in the campaign.”

The Liberal Democrats are the largest opposition party at city council with nine councillors. The council is controlled by Labour, who have 29 councillors. There are also three Green councillors and one independent.

Lib Dem group leader Cllr Tim Bick added: “I am pleased that David will be joining our strong Lib Dem team on Cambridge City Council, I know he will be a great addition who will not only reinforce us in holding this Labour city council to account, but he will work hard for the residents of Trumpington ward.

“David has significantly increased the Liberal Democrat majority in Trumpington in May of this year and sets further momentum for the party locally.”

The turnout was 27.3 per cent.