Early results from the local elections point to big losses for the Conservatives, with Labour and the Liberal Democrats scooping up victories.
Former chairman of the Local Government Association, Lord Porter, has lost his seat on South Holland DC, marking the end of his 20-year reign as leader. The party has, however, held the council.
Finishing fourth in the count, Lord Porter paid tribute to his council staff and said: ‘If it is time for me to go, it is time for me to go. The electorate is never wrong.’
Elsewhere in Lincolnshire, South Kesteven leader Kelham Cooke also lost his seat – as did his deputy – while his cabinet was wiped out.
Stoke-on-Trent Council, the red wall council that has been the darling of the Conservative government, has gone to Labour – as have the formerly Tory Plymouth City Council and Medway Council.
The Tories have also lost Brentwood BC, Tamworth, North West Leicestershire, East Lindsey and Hertsmere DCs.
In former Prime Minister Theresa May’s constituency, Windsor and Maidenhead DC has been won by the Liberal Democrats.
Labour’s Chris Cooke has also won the Middlesbrough mayoralty from independent incumbent Andy Preston with a 20% swing.
Results so far are showing Conservative losses, with significant gains across Labour, the Liberal Democrats, Greens and independents.
Local Government Information Unit chief executive, Dr Jonathan Carr-West described the night as ‘a steady stream of losses, not a tidal wave’ but he added: ‘There is still a long way to go.’
This article was originally published by The MJ.
