Lost seats may bring battle for leadership

The Lib Dems who began the day with 15 seats lost in Todmorden and Calder reducing it to 13 while Labour went from 10 seats to 13 after winning those seats as well as taking Sowerby Bridge from the Tories.

Despite that setback the Tories ended the day triumphantly by winning a further two seats in Brighouse and Elland taking their total to 21.

The results mean council leader, Janet Battye (Lib Dem, Calder) and Labour leader, Tim Swift (Lab, Town), who have enjoyed a largely trouble-free partnership over the last 12 months may find themselves battling it out for the council leadership over the next few weeks.

Coun Battye said she was disappointed by the result and said the Lib Dems had been badly affected by the national swing against her party. She said: “It feels like the Lib Dems were judged on national issues which is hard to take because we have not close so much as a public toilet. I am disappointed because we have worked very hard.”

On the leadership issue she added: “I don’t know. We are the same size now and will talk to each other over the next few days. The arrangement we have had has worked well.”

Coun Swift, who is currently deputy leader of the council, said: “It’s a good result for us and we are very pleased with the gains we have made. In some wards the Lib Dem vote just collapsed under the pressure of the national situation. Regarding the coalition situation with the Lib Dems we need to reflect on it.”

Labour has a group meeting planned for today and the Lib Dems are due to meet on Monday.

As for the possibility of him contesting the council leadership he said: “I can’t comment on that. Obviously it will be discussed at some point.”

There was a spectacular return to politics for veteran, former council leader John Ford who was Conservative leader of Calderdale for six years between 1999 and 2005.

After several failed attempts to get re-elected he finally managed it this time in Elland – traditionally Lib Dem territory – polling 997 votes compared to 932 for his closest challenger Stella Haigh of the Lib Dems.

He said: “It’s great to be back, I have missed it a lot and obviously I should hope to make a contribution to the running of the council.”

There was sadness though for a high-profile loser, Olwen Jennings who has spent 24 years as a councillor. She lost her seat in Todmorden to Labour’s Jayne Booth.

Afterwards, Mrs Jennings, 71, said she had almost certainly run her last election. She said: “Although people should not consider the national picture at local elections they do. At least now I will not have to open any more emails.”

Calderdale now has its youngest councillor in 23-year-old Scott Lloyd Benton who cheered Conservative hearts early on by narrowly beating his Labour opponent Ann Martin by a handful of votes. He said he was “delighted” by the result. Percentage turnout was 41.66 per cent.