Liberal Democrats are celebrating success in Stockport after victory at the local elections. After all the votes had been counted, the Lib Dems emerged with 28 council seats, Labour 25, Conservatives 5, Independent Ratepayers 3 and Greens 2. The council therefore remains under no overall control with no single party able to form a majority administration.
Whilst there was no change to the number of Labour councillors – one gain and one loss – the Lib Dems made two gains from the Conservatives by capturing both Bramhall North and Bramhall South & Woodford as well as holding all the seats they were defending. It was an especially disappointing night for the Tories who now have their smallest group on the council for over 20 years.
The Liberal Democrats won the most votes in both parliamentary seats of Cheadle and Hazel Grove as well as across Stockport borough as a whole, signifying clear support for our approach and policies.
Speaking after the results, Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said: “Of course I am pleased that we continue to make progress and delighted to welcome four new faces to our group at the Town Hall. I’m confident that Vince Shaw (Bredbury & Woodley), Ian Hunter (Cheadle & Gatley), Ian Powney (Bramhall South & Woodford) and Frankie Singleton (Bramhall North) will all be first rate councillors for their communities and strengthen our team at the Town Hall.
“Given the results, all parties on the council will have to work more closely together if progress is to be made. Consensus and co-operation should be the way forward wherever possible. We are ambitious for Stockport and believe we can achieve so much more with an open, transparent, and accountable leadership”.
