Cheadle and Gatley Lib Dems are moving
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by Lib Dem team on 6 May, 2016
Politics can feel like a funny old business sometimes. On Thursday 5th May the Lib Dems won the most seats across Stockport, doing better than we have in several years, and yet Labour ended up as the largest party on the council.
We had some thumping wins. Cheadle Hulme South – a close contest last year – was won this year by Mark Hunter with 60% of the vote. Stephen Robinson, our new MP’s husband, got just 23%.
The Conservatives were targeting Lib Dem seats and went into the election believing they could win at least five from us. In the event, they gained just one – Marple South – and that by only 23 votes.
Labour, too, had been hoping for more. They failed to win Offerton, but did manage to take Manor ward – the seat of council leader Sue Derbyshire – their only gain of the night.
However, there was good news from Labour when Stuart Bodsworth, elected as a Lib Dem for Cheadle Hulme South in 2014, announced he would be joining the reds. He made clear that this was based on national politics and he felt his political goals could be better achieved from within Labour than the Lib Dems. With just 7% of Cheadle Hulme South voters supporting Labour on Thursday, it would seem his constituents don’t agree.
So at the end of all of that, the party that won the most seats – the Lib Dems – became the second largest party on the council with Labour becoming the largest. No complaints – that’s how it goes!
The current make-up of the Council is:
Labour 23
Lib Dem 21
Conservative 14
Independent Ratepayers (Heald Green) 3
Stockport Residents (Independent) 2
As the new largest party, Labour have made clear that they are looking to run the council.
6 Comments
You cannot complain Iain after 18 years – time to give Labour a chance.
I can’t see very much changing and am just relieved that we don’t have a Tory council.
When people like Mr Bodsworth change sides why is there not a by election as he does not represent the majority who voted for him originally.
Its wrong but also shows me what type of person he is, not to be trusted
David – because, in theory, you are voting for the person, not the party, and he is still the same person.
What an unpleasant realisation – A Labour run Stockport Council. I dread to think what a shambles this bunch will produce. As for Council Tax whatever the maximum allowed is what we will get.
Surely the Lib Dems could rope in the 5 Ratepayer/Independant councillors giving them the largest group status?
I recall they were involved in the recent LD run council so presumably they would be agreeable?
To be fair, Labour have outpolled the Liberal Democrats across the borough for the last four election cycles, so you can hardly complain.