The Results are in...

The results are in for yesterday's Leicestershire County Council election.  We did OK, but the plaudits have to go to the six Labour gains in the north of the county: Thurmaston, Loughborough South, Whitwick, Coalville, Ibstock and Measham.  Lots of people thought we could win a one or two of these, but nobody dreamt we could win all six.

In the Harborough part of South Leicestershire, otherwise known as us, the results were as follows:

Lutterworth
David Gair (L)      758
Rosita Page (C)   1525
Martin Sears (I)     518
    Spoilt ballots       11

Broughton
Bill Liquorish (C)          1544
Antony Moseley (LD)     183
Sandra Parkinson (L)      521
     SP                                12

Bruntingthorpe
Elaine Carter (L)             572
Graham Hart (C)           1555
Tim Johnson (UKIP)       723
Kevin Loydall (LD)        229
     SP                                  7

Jo Fox her seat in Braunstone, which is great, but you have to feel for Amanda Hack who missed out on a stellar win in Enderby Meridian by 39 votes.  Having been Pete Knight's agent in 1989 when we failed to take Lutterworth by 6 miserable votes, I have particular empathy.  The good news, Amanda, is that we took Lutterworth for Pete by several hundred four years later.

Back in '94, though, there were issues to be fought.  The County Council did things and spent money.  This year, the scandalously low turnout - for us, 31.7%, 26.5% and 32% respectively - says it all.  What is there to fight about with a council that does nothing, plans to do less, and spends very little except on itself?  Surely the turnout of 22% in a battleground seat like Enderby Meridian makes the argument for unitary councils?

Congratulations to the winners, well done to every single candidate.  Certainly in Lutterworth, Broughton and Bruntingthorpe it wasn't for want of effort.  The Lutterworth4Labour team worked as hard as ever.

The full gory details can be found on the County website.