Tag: Local election

Wandsworth: Labour gains but Tories hang on to crown jewel A much-touted Labour attempt to wrestle control of Wandsworth – controlled by the Tories since 1978 – was foiled after the Conservatives successfully concentrated resources in key strongholds amid a significantly increased turnout. Local elections 2018: Tories and Labour both secure limited gains as Ukip vote collapses – live updates Read more However, Labour came close on a night when it gained seven seats on a flagship Tory council that has been known for its low council tax and outsourcing of local services. “Of course we may not win councils but I think winning councillors who are Labour is a fantastic achievement,” he said, when it was put to him by reporters that he and other Labour figures had “talked up” the possibility of winning Wandsworth. Trafford: Greens take Tory seats to make Labour biggest party Labour became the biggest party in Trafford, winning four seats from the Tories to take their total to 30. After a surprise double win by the Green party in the Altrincham ward, the Conservative party was left with 29 seats, down from 33. “I spoke to a number of people in their 80s who said they had always voted Conservative but were going to vote Green for the first time in their lives, and a number of Labour members who said they were going to vote Green this time. Frances Perraudin Swindon: Labour disappointed in bellwether contest Labour suffered a major blow in Swindon, where it failed to force the Tories out of power despite a well-resourced campaign and a string of visits from Jeremy Corbyn and other senior figures. Labour were expecting to take control or for there to be no overall control. Instead the Tories finished on 36 councillors, with Labour gaining just one extra ward to win 13 councillors. “We have piled up votes in Labour-held wards,” said the Labour group leader, Robert Atkinson, saying his party’s gains would be limited because the Conservatives had managed to “frighten out” their vote across the west London borough.

These local elections will be the first electoral test for the main parties since last June’s general election. This is because they are already dominant in many of the places up for election this year, which limits the scope for further gains. Labour already has crushing majorities in many of the English cities where the elections are taking place; it already controls 27 of the 34 metropolitan boroughs holding elections, as well as 21 of the 32 London boroughs. In London, victories for Labour in traditional Tory strongholds such as Wandsworth and Westminster would be cause for celebration, but may be a stretch even given the Conservatives’ current troubles. Won’t a collapse of Ukip’s vote rescue the Tories? Outside the big cities, the collapse of Ukip will provide a rich harvest of seats for both main parties. If Theresa May retains the faith of the Brexiters, then the Conservatives should gain the bulk of Ukip’s seats. Will the politics change much after Thursday? Labour will extend its dominance in England’s big cities and among migrant and minority communities. The collapse of Ukip will reinforce the resurgence of two-party politics, which the Lib Dem recovery will be too feeble to challenge.