Moments after their victories as part of Reform UK's blistering success in the Lancashire County Council local elections, new councillors Simon Gummer (Lostock Hall and Bamber Bridge) and Ellie Close (Leyland South) spoke to local democracy reporter Paul Faulkner
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00:00Simon, Ellie, congratulations, newly elected councillors. How does that feel and were you expecting it?
00:08We weren't expecting it but yeah, it's been a great day and it feels really good.
00:14All the volunteers have put it really hard to get us to this point and it's been brilliant.
00:19The nerves obviously, I didn't expect it and I appreciate everyone that's helped and we're both going to do our best for years.
00:26You both look like shocked, surprised. Yeah, we are a bit shocked but the hard work starts now, that's the reality.
00:33And you're both up for that now? Absolutely.
00:36It starts tomorrow, doesn't it? It starts tomorrow, it does.
00:39There's been some criticism from the big three parties. One group leader told me he fears for the future of Lancashire if reform take control of the county council.
00:49I'm not saying that and that might be their opinion. So we're going to do our very best and make the part that we can and try to get all the results.
00:56Yeah, absolutely.
00:57What motivated you both to stand for the party?
01:00For myself and for my little girl. I want to make sure that the community is a better area for growing up and I just want to do the best I can.
01:10Very similar. I've got two little children. I think for a long time people haven't really had a choice and they haven't really found the political party that sits for them so that's really what stand up and give people a choice.
01:22How much interest do you take or have you taken up to this point in local politics? Is it something that you've taken a keen interest in or something that you've got to...?
01:30When I was younger than Norbert, I have done, as time has gone on, you know, you see and hear it more and it does affect you as you've grown and older and it's just you want to make the changes that the general people want to do. It's the same as yourself.
01:44And the public have supported you obviously in huge numbers across Lancashire. What do you make of that?
01:50It's exciting and it's really nice to do that we've got the support.
01:55We appreciate everything they wrote and all the help they've had to get to this point.
01:59Are you daunted in any respect or just up for the challenge?
02:03Up for the challenge but a little bit nervous about it but seriously we're going to care for it but we'll be happy to do it.
02:08Absolutely. Up for the challenge is going to be good.