Tories triumph
A ‘KICKING’ FOR LABOUR AS LEADER LOSES HIS OWN SEAT
THE Conservative Party has taken overall control of Nottinghamshire County Council following Thursday’s local elections.
It will be the first time in 12 years that the Conservatives will form the majority party at County Hall and ends a four-year coalition with the Mansfield Independents.
The party emerged victorious with a total of 37 seats, up from 31.
It was a bad day for Labour, who were cut down from 23 seats to just 15, with leader Alan Rhodes losing the Worksop North seat to Conservative candidate Callum Bailey, by 157 votes.
Speaking to the Post, Mr Rhodes, who has represented the Bassetlaw ward for 17 years, said: “It was a bit of a shock. I do believe the Conservatives have been targeting this seat, they have put a lot of time and resources into it.
“National politics has had an impact in this election, more so than usual. I think it is going to take a while for the party to establish itself after the old leadership.
“There needs to be an internal discussion and one with the electorate. I would be happy to be part of that conversation.
“I do believe Keir Starmer is the man for the job. But this is not one of our finest moments, we’ve had better days, but politics is like that. What goes around comes around. That’s the nature of democracy.”
Sam Smith, who was elected as Conservative councillor for Newark East, told the Post: “We’ve had a good four years, we have delivered on our priorities. “Labour have had a well-deserved kicking.
“They have ignored priorities of the residents over the last four years.
“The leader of the Labour group losing his seat in Bassetlaw is evidence of that failure.”