The bartender at the majestic Keele Hall looked bored. He was told he was not allowed to serve alcohol all day. “I don’t know why,” he shrugged. “Some people here look like they need a drink.”
That’s how the Newcastle Under-Lyme election count went, a poll that was as narrow as you wanted and of political significance, which will now resonate all the way to Westminster.
“What is happening in this room today is a barometer for the next two years,” said Mike Stubbs, leader of the Labor group, shortly before the countdown resumed at 9.30am on Friday. “This can tell us how the next general election is going.
Seven hours later – after tears, lots of tea and a place determined by towing – he received a sentence he probably did not want. The Tories had won it.
“We are disappointed,” Mr Stubbs said. “This was our number one goal in the West Midlands and we invested money and time to try to win it. Our volunteers have worked so hard. But that suggests that people still need to be convinced by the message we are sending, and that is something we need to fix now in the next 24 months.
Council leader Simon Tag, at the center, with councilors Joan Wilden and Rupert Adcock
(The Independent)
Early headlines in this year’s local elections may have been dominated by Barnett and Wandworth after Sir Cyrus Starmer’s party took control of the Tories. But the country’s political future may indeed be predicted in places like the much less lion-ridden Newcastle Under Lyme.
This Brexit-backing city – once best known for producing coal, cotton and bricks – has historically been one of Labor’s strongest red-wall redoubts. The party has held the parliamentary constituency here for more than a century since 1918. Since the council was formed in 1974, it has been predominantly red-led.
Then, in 2017, the Tories took power and have retained it ever since. Two years later, they took over the constituency during Boris Johnson’s election. Aaron Bell became the first blue MP here in 1880.
Which meant that the results of this small county government – a population of 128,000 – were widely seen as an indicator of whether Sir Keir Starmer was winning hearts and minds in the old hearts of his North and Midlands party. Maybe not, it seems.
The fact that the Tories not only kept their previous majority from one, but increased it to three, suggests that Labor is still fighting in its previous strengths. On the contrary, it undermines the national narrative that Partygate will divert this election from Mr Johnson.
“We’re happy,” said Conservative leader Simon Tag, all smiling. “We’ve spent the last four years working hard for people, and I think that’s been recognized.”
Claire Radford and Lillian Barker
(Colin Drury)
With all 44 seats ready to be seized, the Tories won 25, compared to 19 for Labor. No Democrats or independent MPs were elected here.
Several wards required a recount. One was so narrow that it was decided, in favor of the Tories, by drawing lots after the dead heat – only the third time in the election history of the United Kingdom.
“Like winning on penalties,” Mr Tagg said. “It is not the way you would like it to be, but we will accept it. We will definitely take it. “
The beneficiary was Conservative Lillian Barker, who overtook Claire Radford of Labor. At 80, Barker was a first-time counselor. Why throw yourself into the politics of the mayor’s office as in the eighties?
“Why not?” She insisted. “I am in shape, I am active. I love my community and have worked hard for it for years. ”
A point against a Labor candidate in the 1950s. “I’ve known him since he was in school,” she said. “He’s a wonderful man.”
Another winner for the first time was Amy Brian here, almost certainly the earl’s youngest witness: her eight-week-old baby. “She was everywhere along the way with me, so she should come today,” the new adviser said.
National problems undoubtedly had an impact here.
Partygate (inevitably) appeared on the doorstep, but, paradoxically, not always to the detriment of the Tories, said Mr. Stubbs. “It’s hurt all of us,” he said. “You’ve been working hard as a counselor for years, and then a mess breaks your own rules in Westminster, and people annoy you with that brush. I would say that 30 percent of those who comment on it have said they will not vote for the Tories, but 70 say they will not vote for any major party. It’s hard to accept. “
The cost of living crisis has also been raised many times, as has the HS2, which runs through the neighborhood but does not stop.
Labor leader Mike Stubbs
(Colin Drury)
But local concerns may have been just as important in influencing the vote.
There seems to be a widespread perception that the Tories have made a competent fist to run the council. The redevelopment of the city center was largely welcomed, as was the renovation of one of the leading sports centers in the Kidsgrove area. Although authorities have failed to resolve the infamous problem with the notorious Silverdale landfill, much of the anger has been directed at the Environment Agency, which residents say has repeatedly failed to act.
“People have seen that this is a council that works hard for them,” said Mr Bell, who spent all day in the column. “The last few weeks, Keir Starmer and John Ashworth have come here, and now they’ve been sent to pack with their tails between their legs, because people know we’re here and we’re working hard.
That was the view of Graham Hutton, vice president of the Newcastle Conservative Association.
“Keir Starmer came here last year for the county council election and we won it and he came here this year and we won again,” he said. “Maybe he’s our lucky mascot. I can invite him personally before the next election.
Add Comment