Alan Amos: last Conservative after local election how he won

Cllr Alan Amos refused to be dislodged when the tide turned against the Tories, keeping his seat on Worcester City Council after the May 2 local elections.

Indeed, the former city Mayor has not only survived the public vote but secured victory with 817 votes, the highest in his St John's ward.

This marked a comfortable win at a time when other Conservative councillors were punished in the local elections across the country and here in the city where the number of Conservative councillors fell from seven to one.

The councillor for Lower Wick and Pitmaston attributed his win to a combination of old-fashioned hard work and campaigning on the local issues that mattered to voters.

This has included dog fouling, the future of Powick Old Bridge after it suffered a partial collapse and the plight of the former Zig Zag nightclub in St John's as he met with planners to discuss the prospects for the site.

LOCAL: Conservative councillor Alan Amos said he campaigned on the issues that mattered to people in Lower Wick and Pitmaston including Powick Old Bridge (Image: Supplied)

The Bedwardine county councillor, also a former Mayor of Worcester, said he had already been labelled 'the Worcester one' and could now hold the balance of power in the city.

Cllr Amos said: "I campaigned on local issues, all the things that matter to people and I fight for them. I put the interests of my residents first. I think that's important."

Although Cllr Amos wore a blue rosette, unusually he used a photo of his own face in the centre rather than the traditional use of his party's name.

He said he did it 'for a bit of a joke' but that it was his 'lucky rosette'.

"It has not let me down yet," he said.

He put his win down to 'getting things done' and 'working hard' for local people.

Cllr Amos also says he inherited a certain 'fighting spirit' from his dad, Bill Amos, who fought in the Battle of Kohima during World War Two. He has previously spoken of the inspiration he takes from his late father and of the immense pride he feels in his courage.

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Cllr Amos said: “I am honoured and privileged to have been elected for a third successive time and topping the poll again.

"It is a humbling experience and I would like to express my heartfelt and sincere thanks to all those residents who have during the past eight years loyally supported and voted for me.

"My on-going message is that I will continue to “get things done”, work tirelessly, and always vigorously speak up for my constituents both in public and in private. I will continue to speak my mind and say what I think even if it sometimes means being controversial.

"As the sole Conservative, I will now have the additional responsibility of speaking up on behalf of the thousands of people elsewhere throughout the city who voted Conservative. I will ensure they continue to have a voice on the council.

"The political balance now means that it is 34 to 1 but they are easy odds for me, and I am very much looking forward to the challenges and excitement ahead.”