TWO winning by-election campaigns and hopes of another successful year ahead, were the main topics discussed at a meeting of Conservatives in Okehampton last week.
The topics were raised at the annual meeting of Okehampton Conservative branch, held at the Conservative Club.
The party's prospective parliamentary candidate for the new Central Devon constituency Mel Stride outlined the successes of the branch in 2008, which included two by-election victories in July and September.
He told the meeting that he hoped those victories, as well as the hard work carried out by the branch, would provide the catalyst for another successful year, leading up to the next general election.
'I am very grateful to all the members and officers of the Okehampton branch for their hard work over the last year, much of it sustained by a desire to replace this disastrous government,' he said.
In July Chris Hodgson won the Okehampton West ward by election, beating the Liberal Democrat candidate by securing 62% of the vote.
From a turnout of more than 30%for the by-election, Mr Hodgson polled 455 votes, compared with 279 by his opponent.
In September West Devon Borough Cllr Maureen McDonald won the Okehampton East ward by-election and polled 454 votes, compared with 437 by her opponent.