Labour's Lorraine romps to victory (From Penarth Times)

Labour's Lorraine romps to victory

PENARTH politician Lorraine Barrett has been returned as the town's Aseembly Member.

The well-known local woman of the Labour and Co-operative Party romped home to regain the Penarth and Cardiff South seat with 8,978 votes - although her majority was cut by 3,000.

The nearest contender was Dianne Rees of the Conservative Party with 4,864.

Third placed candidate was Rodney Berman of the Liberal Democrats with 3,154, fourth was Richard Grigg of Plaid Cymru who gained 2,538 votes and then David Bartlett of the Socialist Worker Party, who polled only 585 votes and lost his deposit.

Successful candidate Lorraine Barrett said: "I am very pleased to have won the seat again and will continue to do my best for Penarth and Cardiff South."

She added: "The Labour Party have stayed in power and leader Rhodri Morgan has not considered bringing any other party in."

With a very low turn out throughout Wales, with 46 per cent at the last Assembly election, the percentage of voters in Penarth was 31 per cent.

Returned AM Lorraine said: "It is a terrible shame that people do not feel their vote is worth using.

"A South African party came over to see the elections and were surprised there were no queues to vote."

She continued: "All parties need to work to attract the public to use their vote."

Runner up in the election Conservative candidate Dianne Rees said: "Of course we are disappointed that we have not taken the seat.

"But the vote was up for the party as a whole which is a good sign. There was a swing of 16-20 per cent for Conservative."

She added: "It shows that the Vale Council, which is Conservative, has been doing a good job.

"As for the turn out it is a great pity that democracy has not been given its real value."