Election is a bluewash
Staffordshire Conservatives were today celebrating an unprecedented bluewash as they took control of the county council for the first time in 28 years.
Labour, formerly the controlling party, was left with just three councillors – the smallest group on the authority. The Tories won 43 per cent of the vote and increased their seats by 23 as Labour's vote collapsed to 18 per cent and they lost 29 seats to surrender control.
The Conservative group leader Councillor Philip Atkins said he was "delighted" at the fruition of the hard work of his candidates and supporters.
"This is a fantastic result. I want to give a pat on the back to all the party workers who have worked so hard," he added.
His Cabinet team was meeting last night to begin planning to implement policies including spending £30 million in three years to improve the county's roads and a group meeting was taking place this morning.
Councillor Atkins, who represents Uttoxeter, pledged to keep council tax rises low and said there would be an immediate review of all council services to make sure they gave value for money.
Former council leader John Taylor was ousted in his Kidsgrove and Talke ward and deputy leader Robert Simpson was beaten in Stafford North.
Staffordshire Police Authority chairman Mike Poulter also lost in Stafford West after 28 years as a county councillor.
Councillor Ivan Jennings, aged 29, who beat Mr Poulter, described it as a "brilliant result."
Mark Heenan, 27, the son of Stafford Borough Council leader Councillor Mike Heenan and one of the youngest new council members, said: "I am surprised by the scale of our victory."
Outgoing council chairman Terry Dix, who was Labour leader from 1996 to 2007, described it as a sad day for the Labour Party in Staffordshire.
"The national picture has wiped us out," he said. "They have not voted on the local issues. We have not even been questioned on our manifesto by voters."
Tory deputy leader Councillor Ian Parry said he had not expected such a big victory.
The new council make up is: Conservative 49 (26), Liberal Democrats 4 (2), UKIP 4 (0) Labour 3 (32), Independents 2 (1). Turnout averaged 31 per cent.
