Elections: The aftermath

PARTY bosses in Warrington are analysing the results of the council elections and making plans for the future following results which left the Liberal Democrats still without overall control.
There was only one shock result – the defeat of Lib-Dem executive board member Peter Walker (pictured) by Tory Paul Kennedy at Stretton.
Although there were gains for the Lib-Dems in Bewsey and Whittle Hall and the Tories at Penketh, these had been widely predicted.
Conservative leader Keith Bland was left smiling as his group increased its representation on the council by two – and in a significantly stronger position in the Liberal Democrat-Conservative alliance.
Coun Bland said: “It is absolutely brilliant. The results have surpassed my expectations if I’m honest. We want to represent the people in a majority obviously, but this will certainly give us more power and influence with seven councillors rather than five. What is pleasing is that we have taken seats off both Labour and the Lib Dems. Both parties have been shocked by that, I can assure you.”
Lib-Dem leader of the council Ian Marks believed the results were still positive for his party – especially Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Warrington South Jo Crotty’s gain in Bewsey.
Coun Marks said: “A key feature of our rise as a party has been steady gains. That is what we have done for the previous couple of elections and that is what we have done again. Nothing spectacular, but gains nonetheless.
“I am obviously really disappointed to lose Peter Walker, who has been a valuable colleague and worked exceptionally hard during his time on the council.
“What has been really significant is that Labour has lost all three seats in South Warrington that were on offer. We will be having meetings in the coming weeks to discuss the next step, but we already have a lot of positive ideas for the future.”
Labour were the biggest losers on the night, relinquishing their grip on longstanding strongholds in Whittle Hall, Penketh and Bewsey and Whitecross.
Fairfield and Howley councillor Paul Kenny remained up-beat however.
He said: “We always knew this would be a difficult election for the party. However, the Lib-Dems have failed to take a majority and no one is in overall control.
“No one has a controlling majority and the Lib-Dems and Conservatives are strange bedfellows. It won’t be long before there are major disagreements on the council.”