1 July 2016

Bexley Council's official declaration can be read here.

30 June 2016

The result of the by-election has been declared and the votes cast were:-

Conservative                              939

Labour                                       840

UKIP                                          456

Liberal Democrats                      117

BNP                                           105

Green                                          54

As such, Ray Sams, the Conservative candidate has been elected.

Bexley Council's official declaration can be read here. 

29 June 2016 A message from Ray Sams, your Conservative candidate.

Tomorrow you have the opportunity to elect a new Councillor to Bexley Council.

It is important that St. Michael’s Ward residents have someone who can deliver for them from day one.  I believe I am that choice.  I was born in Welling, have lived in Bexley all my life, served as your Councillor for eight years prior to 2014 and am a former Mayor of Bexley.

My track record, from fighting to bring empty homes back into use, supporting community centres and helping to resolve planning disputes, means that I can hit the ground running.

It is important that a Conservative is elected on Thursday to ensure that our Borough continues to keep the cost of Council Tax down, to maintain our excellent schools, to keep crime low and to attract inward investment in our town centres and for new housing.

I would urge you to cast your vote for me, your Conservative candidate, Ray Sams. 

16 June 2016 As a mark of respect for the tragic death of Jo Cox, Labour MP for the West Yorkshire constituency of Batley & Spen, canvassing for the St. Michael's by-election has been suspended. Ray Sams and the Officers of BCCA offer their sincerest condolences to her husband, young children and wider family and friends.

08 June 2016 Read David Evennett's press release in support of the Conservative candidate, Ray Sams.

08 June 2016 Read Ray Sam's election leaflet, which will start dropping on doormats as from today, via the attachment at the bottom of this webpage.

06 June 2016 Bexley Council has echoed confirmation of the reason why the by-election cannot be held on the same day as the EU Referendum.

01 June 2016 Bexleyheath & Crayford Conservatives have chosen their candidate to fight the St. Michael’s Ward by-election being held on Thursday 30th June 2016. The candidate will be Ray Sams, who represented the Ward from 2006 to 2014 and served as Deputy Mayor before being elected Mayor for 2011/12. After being born and educated in Welling, Ray started his professional career as a lecturer in Motor Vehicle Engineering at Bexley College. He has been an active member of the Mayor of Bexley's Charity Committee for over 25 years, raising money for many local and very worthy causes. Ray commented “I am delighted to have been chosen by St. Michaels’ Conservatives to fight this Council by-election for our Party. My eight years representing the residents of the Ward and dealing with their issues were thoroughly enjoyable and I am very much hoping to do so again after the by-election.”

18 May 2016 It has been confirmed that the by-election will take place on Thursday 30 June, 2016. Polling stations open from 7am-10pm.

14 May 2016 Bexleyheath and Crayford Conservative Association announces that Joe Pollard has resigned as a Councillor for St. Michael's Ward. Joe had agreed to his employer's request to work on a project abroad for what was an unspecified period of time. However, shortly prior to his resignation, it became clear that the period of time that Joe was going to be abroad meant that effectively representing his constituents, as he has done since his election in 2006, would no longer be possible. As such, Joe tendered his resignation and so a by-election will be held in due course. We will update this webpage when further details are known. However, the law does forbid the by-election from being held on the same day as the Referendum on the United Kingdom's continuing membership of the European Union. Therefore, the electors of St. Michael's Ward will be asked to go to vote three times during 2016. Whilst this is very unusual, Bexleyheath and Crayford Conservative Association feels that the residents of St. Michael's Ward would prefer that additional vote in order to have a Councillor that can represent them fully. Joe has been a dedicated member of the local Conservative Party for a number of years, starting even before his election in 2006. He is a former Bexleyheath and Crayford Conservative Association Chairman and was, at the time of his resignation, Deputy Chairman (Political).