Last night Arundel & Walberton voters rewarded Green candidate Cllr Steve McAuliffe with an astounding 48% of their votes. Cllr McAuliffe received 873 votes to the Conservatives 549. Labour received 407 votes.
It is the Green Party’s second win in 12 weeks. Cllr Sue Wallsgrove won the Barnham by-election on September 8, 2022.
Arun District Council now has three Green councillors as Cllr McAuliffe joins Cllr Wallsgrove and Cllr Isabel Thurston (both Barnham).
Cllr McAuliffe said:
“Voters are yearning for greener, fairer communities and strong local advocates. I am delighted they have placed their trust in me. I will stand up for Arundel and Walberton against the constant threat of excessive house building and unnecessary road building that puts our unique environment, and residents’ health, at risk.”
The Chichester & Arun Green Party is delighted to hold the seat of Arundel and Walberton after the previous Green councillor was forced to step down due to ill health. Carol Birch, Arun Election Agent, said:
“We are delighted with the result, Steve McAuliffe will be a brilliant councillor. It is also a clear no to the proposed A27 Arundel Bypass ‘Grey Route’. With important Arun roads flooded during the campaign we can see that the money needs to be diverted to make Arun resilient to climate change.”
Cllr McAuliffe is an environmental scientist with many years’ experience. He has lived in Fontwell since 2019 and became a Walberton Parish Councillor in 2021. He previously held a Councillor post in Hailsham, East Sussex where he was oversight Councillor for Environmental Matters and Vice Chair of the Planning Committee. Steve will use his expertise to fight the devastating ecological and environmental impact that will result from the proposed A27 Arundel Bypass ‘Grey Route’.