I would like to offer my congratulations to Tom Simon on his election to the Council. I met Tom many times on the campaign trail, he seems a very nice chap and I hope he serves the residents of Belsize Park well for the next 13 months. The Conservative c

I would like to offer my congratulations to Tom Simon on his election to the Council. I met Tom many times on the campaign trail, he seems a very nice chap and I hope he serves the residents of Belsize Park well for the next 13 months.

The Conservative campaign was a great success, we increased our share of the vote from 2006 and we ran a positive, pro-active campaign, that with just six weeks' notice of an election, came extremely close to unseating the Liberal Democrats.

I fully intend to stand again in Belsize Park and am looking forward to the full Council Elections in 2010. I would also like to offer my thanks to the 100's of residents who contacted me with offers of support and to highlight local issues. I will keep working with our Councillors and the Local Conservatives on these issues ahead of the next election.

Gary Benardout,

Lancaster Grove, NW3

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