Greens narrowly defeat Conservatives in Malvern by-election

The margin of victory was just three votes (740 votes to 737) and the declaration followed three recounts.

Pete Benkwitz picked up 684 votes for the Lib Dems, Sarah Rouse 364 for Malvern Hills Independents and Martin Willis 388 for Labour.

The by-election win capped a good day in Malvern for the Greens, who also became the biggest party on Malvern Hills District Council behind the independents.

The Greens now have seven seats on the district council, up from five, and four seats on Worcestershire County Council including Upton’s Martin Allen and Matt Jenkins in Worcester.

They successfully defended four district seats with Jules Wood topping the poll in the newly created Upper Howsell Ward, Martin Allen almost doubling the number of votes gained by his nearest competitor in the Upton and Ripple Ward, and Natalie McVey and John Raine increasing their majority in West Ward.

New seats were won in Barnards Green with Mark Driscoll and Malcolm Victory coming first and second and in Link Ward where, somewhat unexpectedly, Fran Victory gained a seat.

Natalie McVey said: “Today was way beyond what we expected. It was a short campaign because it was called late but Malcolm is going to be a great county councillor.”

Green group leader Jules Wood said: “We are delighted with the increase in the number of Green Councillors on Malvern Hills District Council.

"We have great talent in our group and are going to work to deliver our Green priorities and to serve our residents across the district.”

The newly elected councillors would like to say thank you to their team of volunteers and everyone who worked so hard to help them achieve their victories.

They said in a statement: "Thank you also to those who voted, whether it was for Green candidates or not. 

"A big thank you to Chris Reed, who stood down this time but has been a fantastic representative for residents in Dyson Perrins Ward for the last eight years."