Labour retained control of Bury council but are down two seats as late-drama resulted in critical gains for the Conservatives.
Of 17 seats up for grabs – one from each ward – Labour took 10, losing three and gaining one, the Conservatives six and Liberal Democrats one.
The makeup of the council’s 51 seats is now Labour 32, Conservative 16 and Liberal Democrats 3 – with the Green Party left with no council representation after losing Radcliffe East to Labour.
The night started well for Labour – ‘recognition of the hard work undertaken in control of the council since 2011’, said Richi Shori – but a strong Conservative finish distorted the picture.
“I think people in Sedgley are fed up of neglect,” said David Silbiger, after he took Andrea Simpson’s (Lab) seat by 60 votes.
“Private investment into the ward has not been matched by public investment. And it’s a case of too little too late for them.”
That was the first to declare of the three closest-fought wards, and it could have been worse for Labour had Jane Black not held on to her St Mary’s seat.
Just 19 votes separated Cllr Black and the Lib Dems’s Michael Powell, keeping three Lab councillors in the ward.
“It was a slim victory,” she admitted.
“But we worked hard on some very challenging issues which people have differing opinions about, mainly to do with regeneration of Prestwich, and we will continue to work with the communities to do that.
“I’m very pleased I’ve got another four years because I came into politics to make a difference and I’ve had a lot of positive support.
“But it’s not good news that we’ve lost two really good councillors in Sedgley and Holyrood because they did not deserve to lose after all the work that they’ve done in the wards.”
Then it came down to Ramsbottom and the seat which famously decided the outcome of the overall council when lots were drawn in 2011.
“We’re used to photo finishes in Bury,” said Cllr Black.
After two recounts, Ian Schofield (Con) unseated Karen Leach (Lab) by 37 votes, not the result Cllr Black and her party were holding out for.
“I’m absolutely stressed,” said now, Cllr Schofield, having endured an agonising wait after a campaign he confessed to throwing everything at.
That made it a third gain for the Tories, who ended in the ascendency, if not a little disappointed themselves on a mixed bag of a night.
Certainly, that’s how Conservative councillor for North Manor, James Daly, summed it up as the hall emptied out.
“We’ve made three good gains. I think that’s a good effort for all the hard work put in by our candidates,” he said.
“We’re disappointed for certain seats where we tried our very hardest and it just wasn’t to be this time.
“But we’ve got good candidates and policies, so I look forward to the battle going forward.”
Picture courtesy of Diego Sideburns, with thanks.
