Success in Epping and Theydon Bois

Liberal Democrats in Epping Forest successfully defended our representation on Essex County Council at May's county council election.

With Janet Whitehouse standing down after eight years of representing Epping and Theydon Bois on the county council we knew we were in for a tough fight - especially given that nationally support for the Liberal Democrats has dropped since the last county council elections in 2009.

Our campaign plan involved lots of time-intensive knocking on doors to talk directly to residents and the delivery of

thousands of Focus leaflets and personalised letters to the 13,000 local residents. We also delivered leaflets to voters in Buckhurst Hill and Ongar.

This was only possible with the help of members and supporters from all parts of the district. We are very grateful to everyone who helped or made a donation.

Thanks to this hard work and the track record of the local team in Epping and Theydon Bois, Liberal Democrat Jon Whitehouse emerged victorious with a majority of 391 votes over the Conservatives in second place. UKIP was third.

Overall in Essex the Conservatives lost nearly a third of their seats (down from 60 to 42 councillors). This is still a majority so they remain in control. The Liberal Democrats, Labour and UKIP now have nine seats each.

Jon has already attended his first county council meetings and is taking up the issues raised by residents during the election campaign.