AS the dust settles after the local election results the dawn of a new era has been heralded at Warrington town hall with a change in dynamics, which saw the Tories become the official opposition.
Warrington Borough Council Labour Leader Cllr Russ Bowden, who briefly met up with Warrington South MP Andy Carter following the count said: “We’ve done well under extremely tough circumstances during the COVID pandemic and lockdown, which hampered us engaging with our electorate when we are out on the doorstep campaigning and talking to people.
“I’m happy after an all out election with everything at stake that we are still in control of the council and can continue delivering our pledges over the next three years.
“It has completely changed the dynamics of the council and it will be interesting to see how the Conservatives can keep their promises of freezing council taxes and cutting the deficit without making around £30m in cuts.
“I’m looking forward to their alternative budget in February when they will be exposed for their pack of lies in their manifesto.
“I am gutted to lose cabinet members like Judith Guthrie by just three votes along with Matt Smith and Rebecca Knowles as well as other Cllrs and would like to thank them and all candidates and put on record my thanks for for their contributions.
“While I am pleased Labour has maintained control it is tinged with sadness that Warrington has lost some great servants.”
Reflecting on the results Warrington North MP Charlotte Nicholls said: “There’s no sugar-coating Labour’s poor performance nationally, but locally things were more of a mixed bag- we comfortably held control of the council, made a few gains, including in Westbrook, and a few losses.
“Those losses naturally hurt, especially Matt, Judith and Rebecca who have served their communities with distinction, but we have much to be proud of our team for too.
“Going forward, I wish all new councillors the best of luck and look forward to working constructively with them for the benefit of the people of Warrington North I serve.
Meanwhile Mr Carter said “We’ve taken some very important steps forward in terms of getting a better balance of political representation on Warrington Borough Council with Conservative Councillors not just south of the ship canal but also in Chapelford, Birchwood, Culcheth and Woolston and some very close races in areas like Westbrook where we missed out by just 9 votes and Latchford where Labour’s majority was cut to just 66. This should be a wake up to Labour that they need to think about addressing issues in every area of the Borough. Without doubt these are our best Conservative results in recent memory.
“The election is over, it’s time to move forward and while the Conservative group will provide effective opposition at the Town Hall on issues like tackling the debt built up under Labour and the local plan, I will also work with the Council to continue to bring investment to Warrington, building further on the £22m secured through the Town Deal fund, working with Government, levelling up, creating jobs as we secure the recovery.
“I’m looking forward to meeting regularly with both the Council Leader as well as the Leader of the opposition group, to make sure we co-ordinate our efforts when it’s in the interest of our town to do so. That’s what people expect from responsible politicians and what’s needed from the town’s leaders to get the local businesses back up and running.”
The result means as the official opposition the Tories wil now have an office in the town hall, with their existing borough Cllr, Lymm based Kath Buckley, now becoming group leader.
Cllr Buckley thanked voters right across Warrington for their confidence in the Warrington Conservative team.
She retained her Lymm South seat as Conservative votes across the town increased from 29,732 in 2016 to 51,435 in 2021 which is an increase of more than 70%.
Cllr Buckley said: “I would like to thank voters from across Warrington. They have voted in large numbers for the Conservative team. My team and I are committed to work hard for residents.
“We will hold the Labour led Council to account and do all we can to prevent further debt through high risk investments.”
“I am proud of every new Councillor in my group, they have approached the election and their new roles with enthusiasm and each and every one of them will be an asset to residents in Warrington.”
“We have a diverse range of knowledge, skills and background.”
Newly elected Councillor for Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft Cllr Wendy Maisey OBE added: “I echo Kath’s comments in thanking voters. Residents in Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft have put their faith in me and my fellow Councillors Val and Carol and we intend to work hard to represent them at the town hall.”
“We are committed to campaign for better services for residents in Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft.”
“As the Chair of Warrington Conservatives I am proud that we now have eleven Councillors on the Council.”
In addition to Appleton, Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft and Chapelford & Old Hall The Tories gained seats in Rixton & Woolston and the former Labour stronghold of Birchwood.
The Tory opposition Cllrs celebrate their success
Reflecting on no longer being leader of the opposition, Lib Dem leader Bob Barr said: “With a nationally resurgent Conservative party, capitalising on the vaccination programme, when credit should really be going to the NHS and volunteers, the Liberal Democrats are relatively pleased to have retained eight seats in Warrington.
“The bitter blow was the loss of three seats in Appleton where there was a highly coordinated campaign which, we understand, was actively backed by Conservative Central Headquarters.
“We were pleased to see Liberal Democrats in Liverpool increase their number of seats to twelve and successes such as becoming the leading party on Stockport Council.
“The Liberal Democrats’ national performance shows the party holding ground in difficult times.
“We look forward to playing an active and constructive role on Warrington Borough Council for the next three years. Liberal Democrat councillors will continue to fight for the interests of the constituents they represent and to hold the ruling party at the Town Hall to account.”
Green Party Leader Lyndsay McAteer said: “We had a fabulous success in Halton where we elected our first Green Party Councillor in Andrew Dyer. In Warrington the results were a bit disappointing. However, we had some promising results in Chapelford and Poulton North – Sarah Williamson and Geoff Settle. No wins, but lots of positive showings. In some respects we were squeezed out by first past the post. Under a proportional voting system we would have had Councillors elected in Warrington.”
Meanwhile in Penketh three independent Cllrs were elected, where existing borough Cllr Geoff Fellows, will now be joined by Cllr. Andy Heaver and Cllr. Craig Lenihan.
Cllr Fellows said: “A “new dawn” for Penketh as three Independents won the borough council seats for Penketh and Cuerdley. I’d like to thank those who voted for me, the election team who’ve all worked so hard, and my family and friends who helped make this positive result a reality by posting all of those leaflets with me.
“For years there has been a saying at the Town Hall that “Penketh stands alone” I’m proud that Penketh now stands INDEPENDENT and I’m happy to work with any councillor from any political party if that helps Penketh and Cuerdley move forward for a brighter future.
“Congratulations to Cllr Andy Heaver, Penketh Independent and Cllr Craig Lenihan – Penketh Parish and to those who were successful across the town from all parties.”
Independent Cllrs. celebrate their success at Penketh
Some great results so far from Warrington North- Labour holds in Burtonwood & Winwick, Fairfield & Howley, Poulton North, Poulton South, Poplars & Hulme, and a Labour gain in Westbrook! #KeepWarringtonLabour 🌹 pic.twitter.com/Ki8mj53ngn
— Charlotte Nichols (@charlotte2153) May 8, 2021
10 new @conservative Councillors and 1 seat held in Warrington means the Conservative are now the official opposition – I’m really looking forward to working with the team! pic.twitter.com/MboetxJ8KM
— Andy Carter MP (@MrAndy_Carter) May 8, 2021
The morning after the night before… pic.twitter.com/8N8FQoHd7S
— Robert Barr OBE 🔶 (@CllrBobBarr) May 7, 2021
