THURSDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Labour’s Paul Henshaw wins Oak Tree by-election

Mansfield Labour Party are celebrating after coming from behind to win the Oak Tree by-election. This represents a Labour GAIN.

Before the election the seat was held by the Mansfield Independents who continued to campaign throughout the official mourning period following the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

Paul Henshaw said: “I am thrilled and honoured to be elected as the Councillor for Oak Tree ward. I am proud of the positivity and warmth we have met on the doorsteps.

“The people of Oak Tree want us to tackle anti-social behaviour, create more opportunities for young people, and help them through this cost of living crisis and that’s what I’ll do.”

Leader of Mansfield District Council Labour Group Andy Abrahams said: “Oak Tree residents have put their trust in Labour once again and have rejected the Mansfield Independents who have turned their backs on working people and the issues that matter to them.

“On hearing the sad news of the death of our Queen, the Labour Party suspended campaigning out of respect.”

Notes to editors:

The results were as follows:

Paul Henshaw – Labour Party:  141 (47%)

Gemma Canlin – Mansfield Independents 91 (30%)

Neil Smith – Conservative Party 45 (15%)

Julie Tasker – Freedom Alliance 15 (5%)

Milo Tooley-Okonkwo – Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition 8 (3%)

This is a swing of 20% from the Mansfield Independent Party to Labour compared to the May 2019 result and a Labour GAIN.