I have just finished analysing the recent Local Election Results held in North East Lincolnshire.

One of the reason for taking time was that the Grimsby Telegraph reported that Nigel Farage claimed ‘delights in North East Lincolnshire results’ and that ‘Great Grimsby is one of our top target seats for next year.’

A number of political pundits are saying that UKIP picked up votes from all political parties and that is probably true – the Liberal Democrats have done that in past. Nigel Farage said they encouraged people to vote for the first and that is also possible correct – similarly to the same statement the Liberal Democrats had the same appeal to first time voter. But now they are a party of Government and cannot rely on the protest and anti-establishment vote.

In some respects, I think both of the above applied to the results in North East Lincolnshire but the biggest losers were the Labour Party. Labour lost one seat and the Tories lost one – while the Liberal Democrats didn’t lose any seats at this election.

Clearly when I was analysing the results I was focussing on the East Marsh result and for once – it was a remarkable result.

In 2008, we had 3 Liberal Democrat Councillor but following the May 2011 Local Elections we was down to one Liberal Democrat Councillor (Steve Beasant) and not doubt Labour was confident that they would make it a ‘clean sweep’ on the East Marsh.

I have always worked hard in ward, but I decided to really up my game – I wasn’t going to be in for the chop.

I have always been a highly visible Ward Councillor, active in the community, reporting back to residents on a regular basis and making sure that I am methodical with my casework. But after 2011, I took the view that my campaigning would intensify – I would make sure that I was seen every single day in ward. Regular monthly newsletters and make sure that community was at the heart of everything that I worked on, whether it is in the ward or within our Council Meetings.

It is my own view that some politicians have lost touch with their community and this has led to the sudden rise in UKIP, particularly in some parts North East Lincolnshire and the rest of the UK.

Residents want a politician who they are associated with, who they trust and who will get things done – not a party ‘yes man’! They want them to deal with daily issues.

Clearly, there are seats that have hard working Councillor and are targeted by UKIP, and they win. But, it always helps if don’t let UKIP become a distraction to your campaigning plan – in my opinion.

I have learnt through my ‘highs and lows’ and I have a few of those! In 2010 I polled 1337 votes compered to Labour, 1005; Conservative, 472 and UKIP, 321 – a good majority for the East Marsh.

Then in 2011, my Ward Colleague lost his seat: he polled 514 votes; Labour, 849; Conservative, 185 and UKIP, 182.

2011 appeared bad, but it got worse in 2012 when Jeanette Ferguson and enthusiastic Lib Dem – suffered the worst defeat by a Lib Dem in our area for a number of years. Jeanette polled 335 vote; Labour, 789; Conservative, 105; Green, 61 and UKIP, 215.

Naturally moving into the 2014 Election Campaign, I was going to make sure that I was going to work harder than ever before and it paid off! I polled a ‘massive’ 907 votes (an increase of 572 votes); Labour, 369; Green, 46; UKIP, 422 and TUSC, 22.

Therefore, in my case where we work we win and overcome UKIP. But, naturally I cannot stop without thanking my wife Carol for all her support; Rob Jaques for his help with leaflets and the help with my election strategy; all Local Liberal Democrat Members and naturally a big big thanks to the local residents of the East Marsh for their continued support.