ELECTION 2021: 'I'll make a lot of noise over there', says new Independent councillor

The one non-Conservative candidate to gain a county council seat for West Norfolk says he plans to "make a lot of noise" at County Hall.

The dominance of Tory candidates, who won 12 of West Norfolk's 14 seats, meant there was no repeat of the Independent breakthrough that saw them become the main borough council opposition two years ago.

But one of their success stories saw Jim Moriarty take the Gayton and Nar Valley seat from the Tories.

And he revealed he had been putting in the miles to get his message across to voters.

"On Tuesday of this week, I walked 18 miles and delivered 400 leaflets. I got out there and made sure people saw me.

"I made sure they knew that what I'm there to do is to help them when the county does something to them and to guide them when the county is doing something for them.

"I will make a lot of noise over there. That's the plan anyway."

Although Mr Moriarty beat his Conservative opponent, Olivia Morris, by 214 votes, he said it had been "very close" for much of the count.

He added: "I'm very grateful for the support I've received from villages that I've really got to know.

"I've really enjoyed campaigning and being out there, not meeting many people, but getting to know the different villages.

"I see this as an opportunity for me as well as, I hope, for them, because I think I can do things for them."

The Independents' other winner in West Norfolk today was Alexandra Kemp, who said it was "incredibly humbling" to be re-elected in Clenchwarton and King's Lynn South.

While the national picture may have been helping the Conservatives, she maintained it was the focus on local issues that was most important to her.

She added: "It's about getting in there, getting your hands dirty and pushing County Hall to do the right thing."

But the Conservatives did take the scalp of the former Independent group leader at County Hall, Sandra Squire, who lost her Marshland North seat to Julian Kirk.

Mrs Squire admitted her result was "not a massive shock", but said she was "delighted" by Mr Moriarty's success.

She said: "We were always quietly confident with Jim. We were surprised it was that close."

In turn, Mr Moriarty paid tribute to Mrs Squire, saying: "Sandra was a big voice for West Norfolk and a tough act to follow."