Labour becomes biggest party in local government

23 May 14
Labour has become the largest single group within the Local Government Association following last week’s local election results, an analysis by the umbrella body for local government in England and Wales has said.

By Richard Johnstone | 23 May 2014

Labour has become the largest single group within the Local Government Association following last week’s local election results, an analysis by the umbrella body for local government in England and Wales has said.

A spokesman for the LGA has confirmed the results mean the next chair of the body would be nominated by the Labour group, taking over from current Conservative-nominated chair Sir Merrick Cockell. The post will be confirmed at the LGA”s annual conference in Bournemouth on July 8.

In the results to have been declared so far, Labour has won 1,589 councillors, up 262, while the Conservatives have won 1,132 seats, down 187. Liberal Democrats have lost 253 councillors to stand at 384, while Ukip has gained 146, meaning they have won 148 seats.

‘Confirmation of the analysis will be made next Wednesday, once all declarations have been received and analysis completed,’ the spokesman said.

‘Local election results will also inform the political make-up of LGA boards and chairs for the next political year, starting in September. Figures will be presented to the leadership board on June 11, along with details of what new proportionality figures mean for the LGA’s governance arrangements.’

The LGA has had a Conservative chairman since 2004. It was chaired by Lord Bruce Lockhart from 2004 to 2007, Sir Simon Milton from 2007 to 2008, Baroness Margaret Eaton from 2008 to 2011 and Sir Merrick Cockell since 2011. The last Labour chairman of the LGA was Lord Beecham who chaired from the LGA’s inception in 1997 to 2004.

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