Our Independent Group members have worked with enthusiasm and organisation over these past weeks, earning a huge number of votes and some considerable successes.
Congratulations, and thank you to every person for flying the flag and thus changing local thinking for the better. Thank you for standing. You will already have had a worthwhile influence and laid the ground for future elections at the same time.
The big story is not only in the Conservative party losses, but in the Independent Group’s gains. Green Party gains in terms of proportion, are dramatic. Less than half the results are in at the time of writing and Wales is just starting to count, but the pattern for England is already clear.
The results are starting to come in from Wales, and as we stand in England we have 203 Independent Group councillors elected (133 Independent or Residents Association and 70 Green Party) which is a total gain of 57 seats to the group so far! This is especially clear in the Green Party who have doubled their seats at the authorities up for election this year!
We have seen a number of councils move in to No Overall Control and the Independent Group has gained a new authority already – Castle Point, welcome. It is also interesting to note that Bristol has voted against having a Mayor, perhaps showing that the Government’s mayoral model is not necessarily what people want!
It seems from what we heard on the doorsteps, that concern about the poor conduct of leading figures in the Conservative Party and the cost of living, have had a significant impact.
We’ll have more next week, but in the meantime, a huge thank you for all you do in our communities. I am so proud to have terrific candidates and councillors who genuinely care about their communities and bring skill and talent to make so much difference to the way our councils work for the good of our communities.
Thank you,
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