NWBC Goes Blue

Tory Triumph, Labour Shock, Lib Dems Decimated
Geoff Wilding looks back at a surprising result
Date Line May 3rd

Local media assembling at the count in Coleshill had little idea that the night would throw up the most remarkable result since the birth of the Borough in 1974. Pundits were making predictions of course but none of us quite expected or accurately forecast the final outcome. It was to be a night of the long knives for the Liberal Democrats,the removal of several long serving councillors , a salutary shock for the Labour camp and a final triumph for the Conservative party.

A total of 81 hopeful candidates had laid out their agenda to the electorate , the door knocking and leg work was done. The record number of postal votes, over double of those in the previous 2003 election were in. The big guns including PM in waiting , Gordon Brown had visited the area and we awaited the judgement of the voters.

The first result came in fairly quickly and the press pack crowded into the narrow corridor which served as the results announcement area. By the end of the night the temperature in this badly ventilated corridor grew not only because of it’s environment but with with each surprising result.

So Coleshill South was declared, no surprise here, a Tory hold. But perhaps a clue in the count with the Labour candidate polling less than 50% of his nearest rival.

The efficiency of the counters was evident , results came thick and fast, the candidates duly gathered in the steamy corridor for the returning officer to declare their fate. Those of us who were reporting the event scribbled furiously in our excellent Borough provided press pack and then climbed back to the media gallery to calculate, speculate and generally chew the political fat.

Conservative stalwart and long serving councillor , Richard Freer lost his Atherstone Central seat. Newcomer Lorna Dirveiks taking one of the ward seats for Labour .

This was not to prove to be any sort of clue however, for Conservative gains were just around the corner.

Atherstone North, when declared bought back to the chamber former mayor Derek Pickard in partnership with County Councillor Anne Forwood.

Anne paid a moving tribute in her acceptance speech to her recently deceased husband Derek., a longstanding Labour man, described by MP Mike O’Brien as “Mr Atherstone.”

The Atherstone North result saw the removal of the Liberal Democrat hopes, it’s leader Bill Powell failing by a long margin to muster the vote

Liberal Democrat, Dave Milligan was also ousted in Atherstone South and Mancetter. Conservative Lorraine Freer held on to her seat and Martin Davis made a gain for the Conservatives.

Baddesley and Grendon came up with a totally expected result, Ray Sweet and John Moore holding comfortably for Labour .The night’s final result however was not to prove to be quite as comfortable overall for the Labour Party.

Hartshill ward proved to be the barometer for this night of surprises. Reg Place , the backbone of Labours rule for many years was out. His colleague Roy Robinson also went. A close call for the Conservatives, but the ward was theirs

The die was cast for the Lib Dems. when former mayor and champion of the Book Town Richard Meredith was despatched with a Tory gain for Richard Jenkins.

Polesworth West went for a nail biting recount, the Conservatives only narrowly failing to make yet another gain by only 16 votes.

So finally we had it! Conservatives 21 seats, Labour 14 , Independent 0, Green 0 and The Liberal Democrats 0.

A night to remember, a true election contest. Hopefuls disappointed, Liberal Democrats decimated, Labour in shell shock and with the Conservatives somewhat surprised by their decisive final victory.