Members of Bath Labour Party are celebrating after they made significant progress in both the parliamentary and local elections, winning a council seat for the first time in 20 years.
Former parliamentary candidate Ollie Middleton fought his campaign to offer Bath a genuine alternative, and managed to successfully double the vote share from 6.9% in 2010 to 13.2% in 2015.
The party also gained a council seat in Twerton, where Joe Rayment successfully unseated the sitting councillor Gerry Curran, the first time Labour have gained a seat in the city in 20 years.
Both their efforts have been praised by the chair of Bath Labour Party Ron Laden, who said that although the election had been tough and the results disappointing nationally, members were more determined than ever to fight hard against injustice, poverty and inequality.
Ron Laden chair of Bath Labour said: “Although the national landscape looks disappointing, we are more determined than ever to continue the fight and to win the hearts and minds of people all across the City of Bath”.
“We’ve fought a long and tough campaign here in Bath over the past two years and Ollie has shown his determination to stand by his principles. He is a credit to the Labour movement.”
“Winning a council seat in Twerton was fantastic for us. Joe Rayment is a passionate and enthusiastic advocate for the principles of fairness, decency and social justice and he will be a strong and powerful voice on the council for the people in Twerton who have been let down”.
Commenting, Ollie Middleton said: “Our brilliant result in Bath is testament to the work put in to the campaign by our fantastic members, they showed dedication and commitment throughout the campaign.
“Our task was to provide a Labour alternative for people in bath and to give a voice to those who had been left silent. I am proud that this is something we have achieved.”
“I have every faith that going forward we will continue to build on this result. It’s absolutely vital that the people of Bath have a means to challenge to Tories both locally and nationally, this is something the Labour party in Bath can and will provide.”
Joe Rayment said: “There are so many people living in difficult circumstances in Bath and more specifically in Twerton.
“I have been speaking to people that are trying to provide for their families on zero-hour contracts whilst being hit by the last coalition’s cruel bedroom tax and the new government has made it clear it will punish the poor further.
“There are so many people across Bath who have been left silent. These are the people who frankly have no voice on the council.
“I am going to do all I can to work hard to provide these people with that voice.”
