Cllr Rob Birch

Labour has claimed victory in a Burntwood Town Council by-election.

Rob Birch won the vacant Boney Hay seat by 530 votes to 297.

It had previously been held by the Conservatives until Natasha Pullen resigned following her election to Staffordshire County Council.

But the Tories failed to hold the seat, with Brian Bacon missing out.

Cllr Birch had previously been earmarked for a seat in the Chasetown ward before the Conservatives put forward Cllr Norma Bacon as a candidate, something Labour say went against an agreement between the two parties – and Cllr Bacon went on to become the leader of the town council just three weeks later.

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.

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Toast
6 years ago

TAKE THAT BACONS

Wilf
6 years ago

Jolly good work Mr Birch.

It is always good to see a new face entering the political arena. As well as someone not already wed to a councillor, about time new people join!

As for the last section; It is ridiculous that Norma Bacon was pushed onto the Council by the idiotic Tory-wing, and then made leader with 0, ZERO, votes to her name.

PAM
6 years ago

Congratulations Rob, just shows that voters know the difference between fair play and foul. Now just to get some of the rest of their team sent off.

Steve
6 years ago

Would be nice to have a series of photos in the Old Mining College of Norma and Brian Bacon, during election night.

From smugness at the start of the night, to the look of horror, when the result was announced.

John Griffin
6 years ago

Well done Mr Birch.

The Scrutaneer
6 years ago

Congrats to Rob. Correct result, Just wrong ward. He should have been given Chasetown, but for the Tories revoking on their word, which meant that when Boney Hay and Central came up, the Labour Party had no option but to fight to ensure the Tories didn’t self elect themselves to that ward as well. What’s all this done? Just meant that the Tories have effectively cost the tax payers an election that wasn’t really required. Well I guess that’s fine – they’ll just put up the council tax to pay for it and everyone will be happy won’t they???

Rob
6 years ago

What’s a scrutAneer?

Robert Birch
6 years ago

Thanks to everyone for the support I’ve had in the campaign, on election day and since. I will do my best to challenge and hold the Tory Council to account on your behalf. However, I will also put making progress on the important issues first and I will he happy to push, help and cooperate with anything that will see the improvements we all want in Burntwood.

I agree with the comments from “The Scrutaneer” as this has all been an unnecessary expense. Having said that Boney Hay and Central Ward is a good one for me as it’s where I grew up and raised my own family so I know the area intimately and the people very well. In addition having been duly elected rather than co-opted gives the role of Councillor more legitimacy.