Barwell sings Pelling's praise after controversial campaign (From Croydon Guardian)

Barwell sings Pelling's praise after controversial campaign

6:00am Friday 14th May 2010

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Croydon Central’s new MP Gavin Barwell said he was “honoured and humbled” by his victory in the general election and paid tribute to his predecessor Andrew Pelling.

The old friends and ex-colleagues were pitted against each other when Mr Pelling announced he would stand as an independent in the election, leading to fears he would take vital votes away from the Conservatives allowing for a Labour victory.

What followed was a hard-fought and at times, bitter campaign, with David Cameron stepping into the fray by writing to voters and urging them not to vote for Mr Pelling.

In his letter the Tory leader referred to Mr Pelling’s marital problems and his arrest in September 2007 after “serious allegations” were made by his ex-wife Lucy. No charges were ever brought against the MP.

The local Conservative Party released a document for its members, urging them to vote for Mr Barwell and referring to Mr Pelling’s mental health problems in 2008.

They also suspended Conservative matriarch Shirley Trimmer from the party when she pledged her support to Mr Pelling.

Mr Pelling struck back with the message his campaign was entirely positive and had his first wife Sanae fly to Croydon from Japan to campaign on his behalf.

Mr Pelling polled just over 3,000 votes compared with Mr Barwell’s 19,657.

In his acceptance speech, a triumphant Mr Barwell said he wanted to pay tribute to the other candidates in the election.

He said: “In particular, can I single out my predecessor, Andrew Pelling. Andrew has served this town and the Conservative Party with distinction over a number of years and it is a matter of deep regret that service should end in this way.

“I haven’t won this evening because people have decided they would prefer me to Andrew as their MP. I have won because the people of Croydon Central want a change of Government.”

Mr Pelling, who was not present when the result of the vote was announced after 4am on May 7, is taking a short holiday.

He said: “I would like to thank the people who voted for me personally. It was very kind of Croydon residents to depart from the question that came to dominate the campaign; whether to have five more years of Gordon Brown.

“My campaign team was just excellent and we had such good fun we are continuing the campaign team’s existence. I hope to continue to contribute to Croydon's public life somehow.”