Barnsley councillor who kept seat after coin toss stalemate says coin is now her “lucky charm”

A Labour councillor who held on to her seat by a coin toss at the weekend’s elections says she is still “buzzing” from the “intense” count.
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Councillor Nicola Sumner who represents the Rockingham Ward, faced a stalemate at the local election heat against Conservative challenger Roy Garratt – both candidates recieved 1,084 votes.

Councillor Sumner won the coin toss to decide the winner, after a tense eight hours of counting, and was later given the coin by the executive officer – which she now says is her lucky charm.

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Councillor Sumner said: ““I would like to thank residents for re-electing me as the Councillor for Rockingham Ward. I would also like to thank the election staff who carried out the count in a very professional manner.

The count.The count.
The count.

“After a long and difficult election campaign, I was the only candidate standing in the Rockingham election to attend the count.

“Four times I stood through the counting of votes alongside my ward colleagues, Cllr Jim Andrews and Cllr Chris Lamb.

“After eight hours and a stalemate, the democratic process was to draw lots or toss a coin. It could have gone either way, and luckily for me, I was the winner. I received 1,084 votes for the Labour Party, more than my by-election three years earlier.

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“I am still buzzing from the result because the election meant so much to me and the count was so intense. I feel like we fought for every vote being counted.

“It is an honour and privilege to be a Councillor and putting yourself forward to public scrutiny is not an easy decision. I will continue to work hard for my residents and build on my last three years as a Councillor.

“I couldn’t have got through the last six months without the support of my family.

“I was given the coin by the Executive Officer at the council following the announcement, and it is now my lucky charm. From now on, I will always call tails.”

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