Labor activists celebrate yet another victory in Stoke-on-Trent. Photo: Nathan Stirk/Getty
The Labor Party said it was now the largest party in local government as the Conservatives suffered heavy losses across the country in this year's local elections.
The results mean the party Sir Keir Starmer has been surpassed by a Tory at council level for the first time since 2002.
Sir Keir said he was on track to win a majority in the next general election after the party made gains and the Tories suffered heavy losses in the local elections in England.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has faced backlash within his party after hundreds of Conservative councilors lost their seats.
Events in six key local councils tell the story of the campaign.
Surrey Heath. Ministers are very concerned
While Labor is on the heels of the Tories in the northern part of the Red Wall, the Liberal Democrats are doing the same in much of the so-called Blue Wall in the south of England.
In Surrey, this can have serious consequences because two senior cabinet ministers occupy seats in an area that is commonly considered “true blue”.
Michael Gove, Secretary for Advanced Studies, MP for Surrey- Heath and Jeremy Hunt. , Chancellor, is Member of Parliament for Waverley.
Dominic Raab, a former vice premier, is the MP for Elmbridge.
The Liberal Democrats have taken control of Surrey Heath in what the party has called the “Portillo moment” in this election.
p> Local elections. – Surrey Heath
The result will be of great concern to Mr Gove.
Until 2019, Surrey Heath had a Conservative majority since 1973. enough for a majority.
Last year the Tories lost their majority and now the Liberal Democrats have taken control.
The latter said: “The Liberal Democrats have made great strides in the backyard Michael Gove in Surrey Heath, taking control from the Conservatives.
“This is Michael Portillo's moment in this local election. Senior Conservative cabinet ministers are now looking nervously at the Liberal Democrats.”
Bracknell Forest: Lowest ever
On a night of poor results, this was probably the worst for the Conservatives.
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In In Bracknell Forest, Tory numbers have fallen to their lowest level in history, and Labor has shown they can thrive in the South.
Overnight, the Tories went from controlling 90% of councillors to less than 30% – a cut of 27 councillors , by far the biggest loss of the evening.
Local Elections – Bracknell Forest
The Berkshire results mean Labor has secured its first majority since 1996.
Roy Bailey, chairman of the local constituency's Labor Party, called the results “truly sensational”.
Stoke-on-Trent: “My city is red”
If Sir Keir Starmer wants to get to Downing Street, he needs to win seats in the so-called Red Wall in the north of England.
So he will be happy with that that Labor regained control of Stoke-on-Trent council.
Labor's Ruth Smith lost her Westminster seat to Stoke-on-Trent North in the last election to Jonathan Gallis as an elector. turned to the Tories.
But on Thursday night, Labor seized control of the city of Staffordshire for the first time since 2015, signaling the possibility of a Labor return to Parliament.
Local elections – Stoke-on-Trent
A jubilant Baroness Anderson, as Ms. Smith is now known, said when the results were announced: “There is still a huge amount of work to be done for the general election, but from tomorrow my city is red. Tonight is the first step towards taking my city.”
However, upon closer inspection, it turns out that the Labor victory may not be as impressive as it seems at first glance.
Now the party has 29 advisors out of 44, increasing their number by 17. But ten years ago they had 31 advisors – more than now.
Similarly, before the election, the Conservatives had 22 councillors, the highest it has ever achieved in the city, and just short of a majority.
Medway: “You blew the doors”
Labor is also resurrecting in a number of districts the London suburban belt, despite Tory claims that the party will be hit by Sadiq Khan's plans to expand the Ulez ultra-low emission zone.
The Medway, which spans Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham in north Kent, is one of such places.
Sir Keir campaigned there on Wednesday and chose this location for his victory speech.
Results 0605 medway
The Conservatives have had a majority of councilors since 2002, but this year's election was the party's worst result since its inception district.
Labor won 33 seats, enough to take control of the council. The Conservatives kept 22 people, while the Independents had four.
As Sir Keir said: “You didn't just cross the line. You blew the doors.
The result will worry local MP Kelly Tolhurst. The seat of Rochester and Stroud has been a Tory since its inception in 2010 – with the exception of a year-long stint as Ukip following the defection of Mark Rekless.
But Labor's resounding success means it could be Red next time.
Stratford-upon-Avon: slovenliness hangs in the balance
The issue of Tory immorality is heavily looming over the elections in Stratford-upon-Avon, and the party has lost control of the council.
The MP there is Nadhim Zahavi. A former chancellor who was sacked earlier this year over his tax affairs.
Mr Sunak sacked him as chairman of the Tory party after an investigation found there had been a “serious violation of the ministerial code when he didn't reveal the information. investigation by HM Revenue and Customs.
Local Liberal Democrats snickered at the scandal and reaped the rewards.
All 41 seats were up for election, and the Liberal Democrats won 15 seats convincingly.< /p>
The Conservatives not only lost a majority, they also lost 14 seats.
Local Election – Stratford-upon-Avon
Mr Zahavi has a landslide majority of 20,000 but a huge Liberal Democrat majority in his local council district could jeopardize that.
Canterbury: 'Insane' traffic scheme kills leader
The Tory leader of Canterbury Council lost his seat after pushing through an 'insane' traffic scheme in the cathedral city.
Ben Fitter-Harding said he was “an honor to serve” and wished “all the best”. ” into the new administration of Canterbury City Council as the Liberal Democrats took both seats in the Chestfield constituency.
He was widely criticized for his controversial plans to ease congestion by banning people from driving directly from one area. city to another.
Residents and tourists will face fines for crossing the border with automatic license plate recognition cameras unless they venture onto a new ring road that will turn one mile into ten miles.
Some rebellious conservatives have warned that a plan to carve up the narrow cobbled medieval town of 43,000 will force them out in local elections in May.
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Jacob Ries- Mogg, a former cabinet minister, also expressed concern, calling the idea “crazy” and ex-Ukip leader Nigel Farage called the plan a “climate change lockdown.”
Mr Fitter- Harding defended his proposals. insisting that “the goal is not to declare war on motorists, but to make life easier.”
The Tory defection over the traffic plan earlier this year led to the collapse of the majority of the party, as four members of the council changed places. into the new Independent Serve to Lead Group.
The Conservatives have had a majority in Canterbury since 2006.
The result will give hope to Rosie Duffield, the only Labor MP in Kent.< /p >
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