ELECTIONS 2018: Leader slams ‘nasty’ politics
COUNCIL leader Alyson Barnes hit out at ‘ vindictive’ negative election campaigning after holding her seat by 37 votes at the local elections.
Coun Barnes narrowly retained her Goodshaw seat as a day of largely improved Tory fortunes at the ballot box failed to translate into a major shift in the balance of power on Rossendale council.
The Tories took six wards to Labour’s five - with the shares of the vote neck and neck, while Community First’s Alan Neal retained Healey & Whitworth.
Relieved Coun Barnes said the Tories had ‘ thrown the kitchen sink’ at her during the campaign.
She said: “I would say politics locally has become very nasty, very personal and very vindictive over the past 12 months or more and I would put out a call to all parties to start to conduct themselves in a more decent manner.”
Coun Barnes added: “I’m delighted to retain my Goodshaw seat, with a reduced majority, but a win is a win. It’s interesting really, given what we’re reading on social media and what we’re led to believe that every- body hates us and we’re doing a terrible job - but look at how our support has held up, in Rawtenstall particularly.
Her win over David Foxcroft also avenged last year’s county council elections defeat in Mid Rossendale at the hands of the same opponent.
County Coun Foxcroft was upbeat despite defeat, saying: “It’s a really positive result, we’ve increased the Conservative vote by over 100 per cent.
“It’s a clear sign that people are desperate for change and, I think certainly Labour understand that because that’s why they were out with almost every single councillor going across the whole of Goodshaw yesterday.”
There were rather more tangible Tory celebrations in Irwell, as Denis Kostyan unseated Labour councillor Michelle Smith.
Interim Tory leader Annabel Shipley said the party’s improved showing proved they were ‘ winning the battle’.
She said: “If the results of this election were based purely on hard work and determination, we would have swept the board.
“The effort and commitment from some of our younger members has been inspirational.
“The people of Rossendale are ready for change and ready for a fairer representation from a party that is the only one that will listen, engage and act.”
Tony Haworth, Conservative councillor for Helmshore, told the Free Press: “The Conservative group have not been vindictive in any way.”
TORIES reveal new leader - see page 7.
‘ROSSENDALE is a politically divided borough’ - the Scribbler - see page 8.