Improving parks and open spaces, providing more support for young families and helping people with their mental wellbeing as we emerge from Covid-19 restrictions are the top priorities for the Swindon’s newest borough councillor. Kate Tomlinson the Conservative candidate won the by-election in the Priory Vale ward triggered by the resignation in May of Emma Faramarzi While a Conservative win in a safe ward was not unexpected, Coun Tomlinson’s performance was the best ever seen by the party in the area – albeit on a very low turn out of 1882 or 22 per cent of eligible voters. Her share represents 60.5 per cent of the vote, up from her ward and party colleague Jo Morris Gold’s 53.85 per cent in May.
David Renard and Oliver Donachie The election of Coun Tomlinson in Priory Vale my turn the page on a difficult chapter in north Swindon Conservative politics. Until May 2020, Emma Faramarzi, whose resignation triggered this week’s by-election, was a senior member of the ruling Conservative group. She had been a member of the cabinet and was the chairman of an influential overview and scrutiny committee. Her partner Oliver Donachie was the cabinet member with responsibility for the economy in the cabinet of his fellow Haydon Wick councillor David Renard. But relations between Coun Renard and, in particular, Coun Donachie broke down at some point.