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The tumultuous results of the first local elections suggest a damaging outcome for Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party.
Early forecasts suggest the Conservatives could lose 500 MPs, half of the seats they need to defend.
The Conservative Party lost control of the three councils it had previously led. There are other areas where the Tories have lost this lead, despite not having the overall lead but still being the largest group.
Labor also won police and crime commissioners from the Conservatives in Cumbria, Avon and Somerset.
Conservative council losses
Rushmoor, Hampshire
Perhaps the biggest coup to date was Labor’s defeat of Rushmoor Parliament from the Conservatives. The council is located in Hampshire, a traditional Conservative heartland, and has never had a Labor majority.
The council has continued to be run by the Conservative Party in recent history, although it has switched to the Conservative Party and no overall leadership in the past. Labor gained seven seats and gained a majority, while the Conservatives lost eight seats. One went to the Liberal Democratic Party.
Redditch, Worcestershire
Redditch has consistently supported the Conservative Party in recent years, but Labor currently holds an overwhelming majority in Worcestershire County Council. Labor gained a further 10 seats and the Greens one, while the Conservatives lost 11 seats.
north east lincolnshire
The Conservatives also lost control in north-east Lincolnshire after Labor won six seats and the Lib Dems and independents each won one seat. The Conservative Party lost eight seats overall and lost control of parliament as a whole.
The Conservatives remain the largest party, but are closely followed by Labor.
There are several councils where no political party has overall control, but the Conservative Party used to be the biggest player, but its presence is now gone.
peterborough
Peterborough was and continues to be out of total control. However, the Conservative Party lost 11 seats and is no longer the largest party. Although Labor still lacked overall control, it became the largest party, gaining five seats compared to the Conservatives losing 11.
Thurrock, Essex
Essex City Council has been run by the Conservative Party for the past few years, in turmoil after it was effectively declared bankrupt in December 2022. The Conservative Party was the largest party, although officially it had no overall control.
The council was Labor’s main target, with Labor gaining a majority of eight seats, while the Conservatives lost 10.