Interesting result – but why can’t more people be bothered?

THE results in Rossendale made for interesting reading.

It’s not often a councillor increases the number of votes they get but still lose their seat.

That’s what happened to Rossendale East county councillor Jackie Oakes, who lost her seat for Labour to Tory Jimmy Eaton.

In 2013, she polled 1,386 votes, this time she polled 1,546 votes.

Coun Eaton collected 1,635, while UKIP’s vote collapsed.

In 2013, Alyson Barns won Rossendale North with 1,447 votes.

This year, she lost Mid Rossendale by just eight votes to Tory David Foxcroft, despite polling 2,194 votes.

It was a straight two-way fight this year, compared to a battle against UKIP and the Lib Dems last time.

In Whitworth, just 17 votes separated Tory winner Peter Steen from second-placed Sean Serridge, who in turn polled more than he did in 2013.

UKIP and the Lib Dems also disappeared from Rossendale South this time, although the Greens did stand.

Tory Anne Cheetham held on to her seat there, and polled 1,852 votes – up 400 on last time.

Second-placed Steve Hughes for Labour, also polled more than Labour did in 2013 as more voters turned out overall.

UKIP and the Lib Dems didn’t make it into Rossendale West either, where David Stansfield for the Tories retained his seat, and doubled the number of votes he polled, while Labour candidate Lisa Bloor collected 600 more votes than Labour did in 2013.

Overall, voter turnout was up, which is good – but at between 30 per cent and 40 pc, it does make you wonder why more people can’t be bothered.