Nicola elected in Catsfield & Crowhurst By-election

Nicola McLaren, newly elected councillor for Catsfield & Crowhurst sends her profuse thanks to Hastings and Rye members for their support in her by-election campaign.

Nicola was defending the seat previously held by Chas Pearce, well known as a former Crowhurst parish councillor but retiring through ill-health. There was uncertainty throughout the campaign as to how Reform UK would perform, Their candidate had been a Battle town councillor and a pugnacious questioner at Rother full council meetings. A notable number of previous non-voters turned out. The Tories focused heavily on their local links in Catsfield. 

The results were 

Nicola McLaren              267           
Reform UK              200                      
Conservative            162                       
Labour                 101 

The turnout was 37%, down from 43% at the district elections in 2023.