Stockport Liberal Democrats are celebrating after topping the poll in last Thursday’s local council elections. The Lib Dems gained two seats from Labour and increased their numbers to 31 councillors in total – just 1 short of an overall majority. Meanwhile Labour’s losses reduces the size of their council group to just 22 councillors. The Heald Green Ratepayers have 3 seats, the same as the Green Party and the Edgeley Community Assoc. There is one other independent, and the Conservatives currently have no seats at all on Stockport Council.
Cllr Mark Hunter, re-elected as Lib Dem Group Leader at their AGM on Friday evening commented “This was a very good night for the Liberal Democrats in Stockport. As ever, our focus was on a positive campaign based around our service and action in the community. Our track record of delivery over the last couple of years has obviously not gone unnoticed and we are grateful that the public have put their trust in us once more. We will continue to work as hard as we can, in partnership with others, to ensure that all parts of the borough are supported and Stockport remains a great place to live and work.
As everyone knows huge financial challenges lie ahead, but our policy of sound financial management over many years means that Stockport is better placed than many to tackle the crisis in local government funding created by this Conservative government. I repeat my appeal for all parties to work together to agree a new funding formula which would see a fairer allocation of the resources available”
The local election results here also auger well for the Lib Dems in the forthcoming general election. It’s time to send the Tories a message- should the local election outcome be replicated in a general election, the Lib Dems would gain both Cheadle with Tom Morrison and Hazel Grove with Lisa Smart, with Labour having no chance in either seat.
