IT was second time lucky for Liberal Democrat candidate Martin Frearson, who won the Verulam ward by-election by just 24 votes on Thursday, June 27.

Mr Frearson was defeated in the May elections by Tory Councillor Pauline Buffham.

His victory in the by-election, which took place following the death of Conservative Councillor Michael Pugh in April, means the Liberal Democrats are now the dominant party in the city with 21 seats, compared to 20 for the Conservatives and 15 for Labour.

A chartered chemist and former district councillor, Mr Frearson was a founder member of the Verulam Residents' Association (VRA) and has campaigned strongly against plans to build a new nightclub in Christopher Place.

A former chairman of the district council's planning commitee, he also played a key role in opposing many large-scale Green Belt developments in the late 1990's.

Mr Frearson said: "I look forward to serving all Verulam residents in any way I can and I pledge to do my best for St Albans by ensuring that what we plant and build today will be appreciated by future generations."

Councillor Brian Peyton, group leader for St Albans Liberal Democrats, said he was "delighted" by the win, which reflected growing popularity for the party since 1999.

"Martin and his family have lived in Verulam ward for over 20 years," said Mr Peyton.

Mr Frearson's earlier defeat by 233 votes in the May local elections led him to condemn the pioneering e-voting trial for creating confusion among voters and contributing to the lower than average turnout in the two wards testing the scheme.

His criticism appears bolstered by last week's turnout, which rose two per cent on May's figures an increase of 141 votes.

This bucks the national trend which traditionally records a drop in turnout for a by-election, despite parties being able to concentrate their resources.

Mr Bob Goodall, leader of the No Candidate Deserves My Vote! party which secured 17 votes on Thursday, described last week's turnout figures as "another nail in the coffin for online voting."

He cited the difference in spoiled ballots two in the by-election, compared to 30 in the e-voting pilot as evidence that voters were confused by the new technology.

"Introducing (e-voting) would be a costly mistake which does not increase voter turnout," he said.

Results of the polls were as follows: Martin Frearson Liberal Democrat, 960; Marilyn Madden Conservative, 936; Linda Spiri Labour, 145; Peter Goodall No Candidate Deserves My Vote!, 17.

July 4, 2002 09:30