30/10/2026
Great to see 2 newly elected Conservatives for the County and Newark/Sherwood Councils!
Newly elected Conservative County Councillor Penny Rainbow delivers major Conservative victory in Robert Jenrick’s backyard as Conservatives also hold Dover Beck
The Conservatives have held Southwell following the election of Penny Rainbow as the new Conservative County Councillor, delivering a major victory after overcoming a heavily funded Reform UK campaign.
In a significant election night for the Conservatives, the party also successfully held Dover Beck on Newark and Sherwood District Council, with Scott Carlton elected as the new District Councillor. Both seats were previously represented by the late Cllr Roger Jackson, meaning the Conservatives have retained representation in both communities following his sad passing.
Following the well-documented donations received by the party nationally, Reform mounted an intensive campaign across Southwell and the surrounding villages, reportedly spending thousands of pounds in an attempt to win the division, saturating the area with election literature. However, the Conservative say voters chose a trusted local representative with a proven record of service over a campaign built on financial firepower. This victory in Robert Jenrick MP's parliamentary backyard represents a significant blow for Reform in Newark.
This was Penny’s first election for a County Council seat. She stood following the sad passing of long-serving Conservative councillor and former County Council Chairman Roger Jackson, who represented Southwell and was a well-respected and dedicated champion for local communities for more than two decades.
A lifelong local resident, former social worker and highly regarded Southwell Town and Newark & Sherwood District Councillor, Penny has built a reputation for putting residents first. She has campaigned successfully for safer roads, better infrastructure, stronger flood protection, the protection of local bus services, the Bulcote pedestrian crossing and improvements to the A6097. Her 100 per cent attendance record reflects her commitment to the people she serves.
Cllr Penny Rainbow said: “I am absolutely delighted to have won this election, and I want to thank every single person who put their trust in me.
“This is a fantastic result for the Conservatives and, most importantly, for the people of Southwell and our surrounding villages. Throughout this campaign, we focused on the issues that matter most to residents, our record of delivery and what we can achieve together in the future.
“I decided to step forward following the sad loss of Roger Jackson, who served these communities with distinction for more than 20 years. I worked closely with Roger, and I am determined to honour his legacy by continuing the work he cared so passionately about.
“That means fighting for progress on the A6097 and Gunthorpe Bridge, safer roads, stronger flood defences and protecting the services our communities rely upon.
“I will work tirelessly to repay the confidence residents have shown in me and ensure their voices are heard loud and clear at County Hall.”
The result maintains Conservative representation in Southwell and gives Penny a strong mandate to continue championing residents across Southwell, Lowdham, Gunthorpe, Epperstone, Oxton, Thurgarton and the surrounding villages.
The same evening also saw Scott Carlton elected as the new Conservative District Councillor for Dover Beck, successfully holding the seat for the Conservatives on Newark and Sherwood District Council.
Like Southwell, Dover Beck was previously represented by Roger Jackson. Scott’s victory means the Conservatives have successfully retained both seats on the same election night, ensuring the communities Roger served continue to have Conservative representation at both county and district level.
Speaking after the count, the Conservative Leader of the Opposition on Nottinghamshire County Councillor Sam Smith, added: “This is a huge result for the Conservatives. Reform threw everything they had at this election. They poured considerable resources into the campaign and clearly saw Southwell as a seat they could win. Yet despite all of that, local people backed Penny Rainbow.
“The reason is simple. Residents know Penny. They know her record, they know her commitment, and they know she will always put Southwell and the surrounding villages first.
“Elections are not won by the size of a campaign budget alone. They are won by earning trust, being visible, standing up for residents and delivering results. That is exactly what Penny has done throughout her years of public service.
“To also hold Dover Beck with Scott Carlton on the same evening makes this an even more significant result. Both communities have retained Conservative representation following the sad passing of Roger Jackson, and we congratulate Scott as well as Penny on their victories.
“This result sends a clear message that hard work, experience and genuine community leadership still matter. We look forward to seeing both Penny and Scott continue Roger Jackson’s legacy of dedicated service to their communities.”
Cllr Rainbow will now take up her seat on Nottinghamshire County Council, while Cllr Carlton will serve on Newark and Sherwood District Council. Both will continue championing the residents and communities Roger Jackson served so well.
