£7m to be lost in benefits cut swindonadvertiser.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from swindonadvertiser.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
After a very poor showing in the local elections in Swindon, the borough’s Labour politicians are thinking hard about where the party goes from here. Labour saw any hope of challenging the Conservatives – who have been in charge of the borough council for nearly 20 years – disappear on Friday. The ruling Tory group increased its majority in the chamber from three seats to 15, taking some long-standing Labour wards in the process. But amid the shock and gloom of losing in wards such as Penhill & Upper Stratton, Rodbourne Cheney and Central, and losing veteran councillor Steve Allsopp in Liden, Eldene and Park South, there were a couple of bright spots.
Swindon elections: second round of results sees Conservatives move closer to majority A gain of a seat and two holds saw Swindon’s Conservatives move serenely towards a majority. The party held Chiseldon & Lawn in a by-election, and Lydiard & Freshbrook. The councillor there, Matty Courtliff, won the seat in a bit of a shock as a Labour councillor, defecting to the ruling Tories in 2019. The Conservatives also regained Haydon Wick. It had been held by Oliver Donachie, a Conservative cabinet member until May 2020 when he left the party and group to set up a two-councillor Independent Tory group. His threat to do damage to the Conservatives never materialised. His vote of 896 was 500 voted behind the new Conservative councillor John Jackson’s 1469.
Lib Dems set out plans for Swindon ahead of May 6 elections thisiswiltshire.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thisiswiltshire.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.