History made in Kent’s local elections
History has been made in one Kent district after Labour took control for the first time in over 20 years.
Party Leader Keir Starmer joined in on the celebrations in Medway after what he called an “amazing set of results”.
The day of shocks for the Conservative party continued as Canterbury City Council leader Ben Fitter-Harding and Folkestone and Hythe district council leader David Monk also lost their respective seats.
We’ve changed our party.
We’ve won the trust and confidence of voters.
And now we can go on to change our country: to cut the cost of living, cut waiting times and cut crime.
Let’s build a better Britain. pic.twitter.com/6VtASszjrf
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 5, 2023
Speaking to Sky TV Sir Keir praised the hard work of the Labour party.
“That is a very, very good night for the Labour party, we didn’t just get it over the line, we absolutely smashed it,” he said.
“Make no mistake we are on course for a Labour majority at the next election.”
Labour took control of 11 out of the 13 seats which the Conservatives lost in Medway.
All the very best to the new adminstration, whatever form it takes”. – Cllr Ben Fitter-Harding
Meanwhile in Canterbury, Conservative council leader, Ben Fitter-Harding lost his seat after over 10 years in office. He tweeted saying it had been an honour to serve the city.
“All the very best to the new administration, whatever form it takes – you have an incredible council with brilliant officers, the sky is the limit,” he said.
It has been such an honour to serve. All the very best to the new administration, whatever form it takes – you have an incredible council with brilliant officers, the sky is the limit. https://t.co/oyTqGJrYVs
— Ben Fitter-Harding (@benfitter) May 5, 2023
The Conservatives also lost in Folkestone as district council leader David Monk also lost his seat.
Speaking to Kent Online after his defeat, Cllr Monk said that the decision of a former Tory to stand in the same ward was to blame in today’s loss.
“We’ve been here before and we will come back from it. When your own party messes the membership about the way ours has, you have to expect some fallout,” he said.
Elsewhere, the Conservatives have seen a loss of their majority in Maidstone, leaving a hung council. The same can be said for Tunbridge Wells where there is no overall majority.
More results are expected throughout the evening as counts continue across the county.
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Featured image credit: Unsplashed