Industry figures fail to win parliamentary seats

Figures standing for a range of seats across the UK in the General Election- including former Furniture Reuse Network chief executive, Paul Smith in Bristol West and former chief executive of the Environmental Services Association, Dirk Hazell in Chelsea and Fulham – were unsuccessful according to this morning's results.

Last month, candidates spoke to letsrecycle.com about how their background in the waste and recycling sector would help shape their electoral ambitions (see letsrecycle.com story).

In Bristol West, Paul Smith lost out to Liberal Democrat candidate Stephen Williams, with Mr Smith achieving 27.5% of the vote compared to Mr Williams' 48% – which represented a 9% swing from Labour to Liberal Democrats in the constituency.

Mr Hazell, who was contesting the newly formed seat of Chelsea and Fulham, came third behind Conservative winner Greg Hands (60.5%) and Labour's Alexander Hilton (18.5%). However, Mr Hazell did achieve a 2.2% increase in votes for the party, which saw the Liberal Democrat gain 16.2% of the votes and move closer to Labour.

Election

Elsewhere, Labour candidate, councillor Clyde Loakes – who is also on the London Waste and Recycling Board and is chair of the North London Waste Authority – lost out in Northampton South to Conservative candidate Brian Binley. Mr Loakes achieved 25.4% of the vote, a fall of 16.1% from 2005, while Mr Binley received 40.8% of the vote.

Labour candidate and environmental consultant Robert Pocock lost out to Conservative candidate Andrew Mitchell in Sutton Coldfield, a move which Mr Pocock previously said he anticipated as it was a “safe Conservative seat”. Mr Mitchell achieved 54% of the vote compared to Mr Pocock's 20.4%.

And, Labour candidate Philippa Roberts was unsuccessful in Herefordshire and South Hereford where the Conservatives gained votes. Ms Roberts polled 7.2% of the vote behind Liberal Democrat candidate Sarah Carr (41.1%) and Conservative's Jesse Norman, who won 46.2% of the vote in what was touted as a Conservative target seat.

In addition, Sue Doughty, who has a wide range of experience in the environmental sector, lost out in her bid to win back her seat in Guildford. Conservative candidate Anne Milton, who ousted Liberal Democrat Doughty in the 2005 General Election, retained her seat with 53.3% of the vote – showing a gain of 9.9%.

Independent candidate and managing director of waste management firm STE Waste Management, Marcus Farmer, failed in his bid for the Manchester Withington seat, accruing just 57 votes as Liberal Democrat John Leech took 44.6% of the vote.