“I am humbled the residents of Wootton have put their faith in me to represent them.”
The successful candidate in the Wootton Bridge by-election didn’t expect to win last night (Thursday 24th Aug 2023) at all.
Speaking after securing a resounding result for the Liberal Democrats, Sarah Redrup will join her fellow Isle of Wight council members at County Hall, in Newport, and has already set out priorities to help residents, promising to listen to them.
Top issues for residents
While out campaigning in the village, Sarah said residents showed her a lot of new things she hadn’t noticed, and opened her eyes to things that were different to her own experience in Wootton.
Top issues residents want her to address, Sarah said, were road safety, preserving Wootton’s green spaces and waters and being a voice for those affected by the cost of living and housing crisis.
She told News OnTheWight,
“I am humbled that voters in Wootton have put their trust in me to represent them. I have always believed that the most important thing a Councillor can do is listen, and that is what I promise to do. I want to learn from the people that I represent.
“Putting yourself forward for an election is not easy and I have a huge amount of respect for all the candidates and the people that volunteered their time to help them. I hope to be a hard-working and positive voice for the village and to always make time for those who need my help.”
Opposition to gravel extraction plans
The big issue, Sarah said, was the gravel extraction plans. She said she had come to the topic on a blank slate but had heard differing views about it.
As reported by News OnTheWight, Sarah is the daughter of another member of the Isle of Wight council, Councillor Ray Redrup who sits on the opposite side of the chamber, representing the Conservatives.
Garratt: Absolutely elated with the result
Councillor Andrew Garratt, Liberal Democrat group leader on the Isle of Wight, said he was absolutely elated with the result and the group will now benefit from the diversity Sarah will bring, as a younger person and a woman.
He said she would also bring that perspective to County Hall and the council could do with fewer balding men in their late 50s.
Cllr Garratt said Sarah will be a superb councillor for the whole of Wootton Bridge and has the ability to connect with people in a natural way.
He said,
“We thought we had a chance of winning after the Brighstone by-election last year but we could not take anything for granted so we fought very hard until the very end.
“Getting just short of half of the vote means people of Wootton Bridge have placed their trust in someone quite emphatically and it will now be for Sarah to take up that mantle and do good work.”
Joint third biggest group
The Liberal Democrats are now the joint third biggest group on the authority, with four members — Councillors Garratt, Redrup, Michael Lilley and Nick Stuart.
It is the second by-election for the Isle of Wight council the Liberal Democrats have won in the past nine months.
Article edit
7am 26th Aug 2023 – Quote from SR changed to one given to NOTW.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
