The national picture is reflected at local level

THERE were echoes of the General Election results in Hazel Grove and Cheadle and the wider national developments at the Stockport Council election.

As in the parliamentary elections, the Conservatives made gains at the expense of the Liberal Democrats with the Tories celebrating victories in Marple North, Marple South and Stepping Hill.

The Tories – who are only the third largest group within Stockport Council – also defeated UKIP to take Bramhall South and Woodford.

Mike Hurleston deposed defending UKIP candidate Paul Bellis, a former Tory councillor who defected from the party after deselection.

It means UKIP no longer has any representation on the council.

Asked why people seemed to have connected with the Tory message at this election, Coun Hurleston said: “I think on a local level it’s the fact that there’s been a track record of three councillors doing things across the ward and providing a good service to people who appreciate what they have done for them.

“Then obviously there’s the general election as well, the turnout has been very high, and I think that has probably had an impact on the results.”

The loss of Stepping Hill will be especially painful for the Lib Dems as former deputy leader Mark Weldon was deposed as the defending candidate last year.

The same fate has now befallen Ben Alexander, who was defeated by the Tories’ Paul Hadfield, albeit by a relatively slender margin of 163 votes.

It wasn’t all bad news for the Lib Dems, though, who held most of their seats and gained the vacant ward of Bredbury and Woodley.

Stuart Corris recorded a comfortable victory, polling some 584 votes more than the Conservatives Sally Bennett.

Labour had some cause for celebration due to gains in Davenport and Cale Green – where Dickie Davies was up against former Labour councillor Brian Hendley – and Reddish North.

Overall the Tories made four net gains, Labour two net gains and the Lib Dems two net losses.

It leaves the Lib Dems as the biggest group within the council and they have also been boosted by former Labour councillor Laura Booth’s decision to join them.