Labour leadership duo lose seats
THE leader and deputy leader of Derbyshire County Council’s Labour group have both lost their seats.
Leader Paul Smith lost his Alfreton and Somercotes seat, one of two lost to the Tories in Amber Valley, leaving the area all blue.
Deputy leader Mick Wall lost his seat of Loundsley Green and Newbold, in Chesterfield, in a shock defeat to the Liberal Democrats’ Ed Fordham, by just 74 votes.
Mick Wall was the Labour party’s campaign director for the county during the election.
Paul Smith said: “It has been a strange election for us as candidates and also for those doing the voting.
“It has been people’s first opportunity to vote since before the pandemic.
“We have really hardworking candidates and we have done what we can. We have highlighted the issues the Conservatives fell short on.
“We had five key pledges that are fullycosted and we feel are fully achievable, they are not pie-inthe-sky plans.
“We have put out a fair and strong message for Derbyshire residents.”
He said key issues for residents had been the quality of the roads, care homes and climate change.
Labour will need to find a replacement for Mr Smith on the group, which has been reduced to just 14 councillors.
The Conservatives, who already had control of Derbyshire County Council, have increased the number of seats they represent to 45.
Prior to the election the Conservatives had 36 councillors, and Labour had 24. The Conservatives have made major gains in former Labour strongholds in Derbyshire, including Bolsover, where the party has won three out of six divisions.