Labour holds Halton stronghold

May 2 2008 by Staff Copytaker, Liverpool Daily Post

LABOUR retained control in their traditional stronghold of Halton last night.

With 15 wards declared by midnight, Labour had kept nine of its 12 seats.

The only dramatic twist happening in Daresbury, where Marjorie Bradshaw won the seat for the Conservatives by 86 votes over the Lib-Dems’ Chris Inch.

Marjorie’s husband, John, also has a seat in the ward, which he won last year.

Councillor Bradshaw said: “I am overjoyed. We’ve worked hard and addressed the issues of local people. It was hard work against the Lib-Dems but we’ve had a consistent message and my husband and I will continue to work hard for the ward.”

Labour leader and council leader Tony McDermott retained his Broadheath seat with a convincing win.

The Lib-Dems just missed out on the key battleground of Castlefields, which they hoped to take from Labour.

As Labour’s longest serv-ing councillor, Arthur Cole was sensationally ousted from this ward last year.

Halton View was another exciting ward to watch, with the Green’s Derek Mellor significantly denting Labour’s votes in the traditional stronghold.

Last year the Greens retained their second position in Halton View and increased their votes by a third in Kingsway.

Cllr. McDermott said he was delighted to have all his councillors returned safely so far.

He said: “It’s a real vote of confidence in the party for now and the future.”