“We’ve learnt a lot during this election and have great deal to be proud of and build on in the next time. That is what we have to look to now, learn from what we achieved and target those areas next time.”
He added: “I’m not flat or downhearted. I’m very much cheered by what we achieved.”
Pat Merrick cut a disappointed figure after the Eddisbury election announcement confirmed Labour had slipped to third place.
Labour fears were realised as returning officer Julie Gill confirmed Mrs Merrick received just short of 20% of the vote with a total of 9,794.
UKIP candidate Charles Dodman said he had been fighting for the principle of a referendum on Europe. He gained 1931 votes to come fourth.
He said: “I’m disappointed. Many people who said they would vote for us were scared into voting Labour to try and stop the Tories getting in.”
