Chris Bowers

'Disappointed' Bowers increases Lib Dem vote

A disappointed Chris Bowers was able to increase the Lib Dems' vote in Wealden but not prevent sitting MP Charles Hendry from retaining the seat with an increased majority.

The result, declared just before 4am on Friday morning, was:

Charles Hendry (Con) - 31,090

Chris Bowers (Lib Dem) - 13,911

Lorna Blackmore (Lab) - 5,266

Dan Docker (Ukip) - 3,319

David Jonas (Green) - 1,383

Chris increased the Lib Dem vote by 857 (6.6%) compared with 2005, but Charles Hendry increased his majority from 15,921 to 17,179.

Chris said, "When you compare the result with 2005, it’s very similar but with one important difference. The Labour vote went down by 4094, which is what I expected. What I didn’t expect is that most of it would go to the Conservatives, not to the Lib Dems, but I guess that reflects the overall picture on the night.

"If there’s some consolation for me, it’s that my share of the vote (25.3%) was greater than my party’s average of 23%, so set against the national picture it’s hardly a disgrace. But after the ‘Clegg bounce’ from three weeks ago, we had hoped for so much more."