We achieved an amazing victory last Thursday (24 July 2014) against the might of the Tory machine.
We achieved
I say we, because it was a team effort with many local residents helping, delivering, knocking on doors; friends & family in the background providing invaluable support; and the people of Clewer North & Dedworth pitching in in great number casting their vote for “their” local candidate.
Our amazing victory
It was an amazing victory as we polled nearly twice the Tory votes;
- Independent 878 (58%);
- Conservative 486 (32%);
- Labour 158 (10%)
It was an exceptional result because the Tories had nearly all their 47 Councillors, and Windsor’s MP Adam Afriyie, together with countless activists, out campaigning on a daily basis for their candidate in the weeks before hand. Virtually none of them were from our area.
So to have beaten them so convincingly when they pulled out ALL the stops would have been a bitter pill for them to swallow.
Well done for speaking up, and casting your vote to keep Clewer North Independent of party politics.
I am proud of you, and honoured to represent you.
Dirty Tory tactics?
Our team presented the local issues clearly and simply.
The Tories on the other hand included a number of misleading statements in their literature, included inaccurate comments about where their candidate lived – was it “the Dedworth Road”, or Maidenhead Road, or somewhere else completely?; Was he really “the local choice” compared to us?; Had the WWRA really “opposed setting one up (neighbourhood plan) in this area”, or did we campaign tirelessly, with former WWRA Chairman John Holdstock even addressing the Council’s Cabinet on the issue, and challenging the Chairwoman of the divisive CWNP Forum?
As the Royal Observer reported, using Council money, the Tories probably even breached the election Purdah rules by circulating the Council newspaper, featuring only Conservative Councillors, during the election period, and first in the Clewer North Ward! Clouncillor Malcolm Beer even called for the Tory candidate to be disqualified. Strong words reported by Andy Wilkins in his article, “Councillor calls for by-election candidate to be disqualified” at http://www.windsorobserver.co.uk/news/windsor/articles/2014/07/18/102044-councillor-calls-for-byelection-candidate-to-be-disqualified/
A great article by Andy Wilkins of the Royal Borough Observer
Andy Wilkins posted an interview with me on the Observer’s website. He asked some great questions, which caused me to think hard about how I wanted to serve you.
Here’s a portion of that aritcle entitled, “Newly elected councillor aiming to bring ‘a new energy’ to the council” at http://www.windsorobserver.co.uk/news/windsor/articles/2014/08/01/102413-newly-elected-councillor-aiming-to-bring-a-new-energy-to-the-council/
“THE Royal Borough’s newest councillor is aiming to bring ‘a new energy’ to the council.
Wisdom Da Costa was elected to serve Clewer North ward after defeating Conservative candidate John Collins and Labour candidate Peter Shearman in the by-election held on Thursday last week (24/7).
The West Windsor Residents Association (WWRA) chairman, who will serve as an independent, will join fellow councillors John Fido and John Penfold in serving the Clewer North ward.
Cllr Da Costa, of Pierson Road, Windsor, said: “I am delighted to have been elected to represent residents living in Clewer North ward and this result shows that they prefer to be represented by independent councillors who answer only to them.
“I hope to be a contribution and support to the present West Windsor independent team of Cllrs Fido and Penfold, bringing a new energy, perhaps a more analytic approach, and my ability to engage with people, always putting people first.
“I will bring a greater openness and I plan to keep residents informed of current issues by writing regularly on the WWRA website (at www.wwra.org.uk) and on social media @WWRA1, and @wisdomdacosta.”
The 51-year-old has already set himself targets to meet the desires of the residents he serves, with improvements to roads and pavements, reduction in aircraft noise, sound planning decisions, and honesty and integrity in office all asked of him. He has also set himself some personal targets including getting to know council staff and his fellow councillors, and to support the work of the panels he has been allocated to, which is yet to be decided.
Cllr Da Costa, who has two children and three step-children, was voted in to fill the vacancy following the death of long-standing councillor Cynthia Endacott, who died in May after a long illness.
“It will be impossible to replace Cynthia,” he said. “She will always have a special place in the hearts of residents. Her qualities and abilities will be sadly missed and her achievements speak for themselves. She served the residents of this ward with integrity and dedication for over 20 years. I can have no better role model and, like her, I will work to the best of my abilities, always putting people first.”
Cynthia Endacott
In memory of Cythia Endacott
I would like to thank all of my team of local residents who helped me achieve such a convincing victory. The late Cynthia Endacott would have been thrilled by this victory. I am proud of your efforts.
The magnitude of our victory is a fitting tribute to Cynthia.
On the shoulders of Giants
So, as I stand on the shoulders of Giants like Cynthia Endacott & John Holdstock, I call you to join me to stand on my shoulders, “to help more people, to stretch further, to reach even higher than before, and to help us create a better community, one that puts people first.”
Democracy begins at the ballot box, so join us
Democracy begins at the ballot box, and starts with your vote. So join me, and “together, let’s develop a better Windsor, better for all regardless of age, income or circumstance.”