Labour seized Stockport Council off the Lib Dems in dramatic fashion, meaning the city is red for the first time in 40 years.
Labour’s Charlie Stewart knocked Lib Dems Sue Derbyshire off her perch as Stockport council leader, resulting in a transition of power.
Mrs Derbyshire was defending her Manor seat but was beaten comfortably by 437 votes by Mr Stewart.
The Lib Dems also lost their seat in Marple South to Conservative Tom Dowse by just 23 votes.
Mr Stewart said: “I’m feeling ecstatic, it’s a wonderful moment.
“It’s my third time of trying. I live in Manor and I’m delighted that the people of Manor have elected me and I’ll do my best to represent them.”
The council in Stockport had been seen as one of the most insecure areas in this year’s local elections in Greater Manchester.
The Lib Dems were not helped when – at the start of the night – Cheadle Hulme South councillor Stuart Bodsworth defected to Labour an hour before the polls closed.
The Tories picked up three seats, with UKIP and the Greens not making any ground at all.
Image courtesy of Mikey, via Flickr, with thanks
