LOCAL ELECTIONS
Swindon Borough Council leader with new councillors Sudha Nukana (Rodbourne Cheney) and Daniel Smith (Penhill & Upper Stratton) THE Conservatives strengthened their grip on power in Swindon as Labour’s red wall in the centre of town collapsed. As votes were counted at Steam yesterday, the Tories always looked likely to hold on to their majority in Euclid Street. But on a day to remember for the party up and down the country they sealed the deal with three stunning victories in Penhill & Upper Stratton, Rodbourne Cheney and Central. All three wards have been solid Labour seats until now – with even the loss of Penhill in 2019 attributable to a split Labour vote.