Tree-felling linked with Labour losses
LABOUR LOSSES were not dramatic but the party was still three seats down on Sheffield City Council after a good performance by the Greens and Liberal Democrats.
In an election held against the backdrop of the city’s ongoing tree-felling saga, the ruling Labour group lost a total of four seats, West Ecclesfield and Crookes and Crosspool to the Lib Dems and Broomhill and Sharrow Vale Ward and City to the Greens.
Labour did claw back one ward seat, East Ecclesfield from Ukip, but was left in a slightly weakened position overall.
The party failed to take its target seat of Nether Edge and Sharrow as the Green party’s Alison Teal, who has previously been arrested during tree-felling protests, beat Labour rival Nadia Jamaby by more than 1,300 votes.
The Greens have now increased their numbers on the council from four to six, while the Liberal Democrats have also strengthened their position from 20 to 22 councillors.
The Lib Dems retained Mosborough, won from Labour in a by-election in 2016, leaving the Labour majority on the council at 22. Among those celebrating was Laura Gordon, the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Sheffield Hallam seat currently held by suspended Labour MP Jared O’Mara.
Labour cabinet members Jack Scott and Jayne Dunn, who were both up for re-election, convincingly held their seats.
The Conservatives once again failed to gain a foothold on Sheffield City Council, although the party did manage second place in a handful of wards.
Coun Scott conceded that the ongoing tree-felling saga could well put Labour in trouble in certain seats. “Of course trees were an issue, they were always going to be an issue,” he said.
Speaking after her election, Coun Teal said: “I want to thank the people of Nether Edge and Sharrow who have come together to protect their community, and who have backed me so strongly in this week’s election.
“To go from being elected two years ago by a handful of votes to the 56 per cent share of the vote I received last night shows how strongly the electors agree with my determination to stand with the tree protectors, their desire to see an open and transparent justice system and demand that the streets be run for communities, not profits.”
The result was hailed by campaigners who have been protesting for months against the controversial PFI contract signed by Sheffield City Council with outsourcing giant Amey which could see thousands of trees cut down city-wide.
Paul Brooke of Sheffield Tree Action Groups, said: “This election has been strongly influenced by the issue of the needless felling of thousands of healthy street trees. The election result tonight shows how many people care about Sheffield and our street trees as Labour lose seats. Sheffield voters are calling for change.”
It has been strongly influenced by the felling of healthy trees. Campaigner Paul Brooke describes the election result.