‘We’re in the right direction’ claims Labour leader

The leader of the Labour Group, councillor Shaz Nawaz, has said the results have moved the party in the direction they wanted to go – despite only gaining one seat.

The Labour Group were expected to make significant gains but only ended the night with one more seat than they started with.

Councillor Nawaz said: “If you look at the votebank compared to last year or even the year before – as last year was a bit of an anomaly with the ‘vaccine bounce’ – we’ve increased our vote share, which is fantastic, but it still wasn’t enough for us to get over the line in some of the wards.

“So, obviously, more work needs to be done, but, again, this is a good strong platform for us to build upon.

“I think that one big factor in this campaign has been something which I can’t solve on my own and that there is a huge amount of voter apathy.

“People, unfortunately, don’t trust politicians – either locally or nationally – and so they think that staying at home is right and they don’t want to be engaged. Labour’s gain in North was cancelled out by the Conservatives gaining Ravensthorpe from former Labour general election candidate, but now independent councillor, Ed Murphy, who was beaten into third place in his former ward.

In the wake of the election there are two new group leaders. Cllr Chris Harper has taken over as leader of the Peterborough First group from Cllr John Fox.

A new leader of Peterborough Green Party has been appointed.

Cllr Julie Howell, who represents the Orton Waterville ward, has been group leader for three years, but has stepped down.

At Thursday’s election, cllr Howell secured more votes than any other candidate in Peterborough. She will continue to be a ward councillor.

Former deputy leader Cllr Nicola Day will be the new leader, while cllr Kirsty Knight will be deputy leader.

Cllr Howell said: “I’ve been group leader for the past three years, but decided not to put myself forward for the role to give another member of the team the opportunity.”

Green councillor Julie Howell (centre) with supporters.