Sophie Davies, Labour’s candidate for the 6 May election for a Portishead seat on North Somerset district council, has thanked CLP members for their support during the campaign.

Sophie – who also stood for the Portishead East seat in the 2019 election – increased Labour’s share of the vote this time, with her 219 votes amounting to more than 11.5% of the total cast.

“I stood because I wanted to show Portishead that the Labour Party was still present in the area and I really wanted to add some socialism to the area,” she said. “I also wanted to support the parts of Portishead and people who needed it most, such as the cladding scandal.”

Sophie described the campaign experience as good – and she was particularly pleased with the backing given by CLP members. “I enjoyed working with people from the party and really enjoyed the support they offered and the confidence they had on me,” she added. “The campaign was great and well organised, although there are things we can learn from.”

Her one disappointment was the impact of Covid restrictions, which curbed the ability to canvass and to put up stalls.

However, Sophie added, there’s a lot of hope that the next campaign will be even more successful – and she would be happy to stand again, with one important lesson learned. “I would book annual leave from work,” she said. “Carrying out a campaign whilst working a full-time job is very difficult as you cannot give it your all as you just don’t have the time or energy at times.”

Sophie’s feedback will form part of a detailed analysis of the election and the lessons that it may offer the CLP, and a report will be produced for members to consider in the coming weeks.