‘A political earthquake’: Lib Dems take control of Hull City Council

VICTORY: New Hull City Council leader, Coun Mike Ross, front left, leads Liberal Democrat celebrations at the Guildhall

By Simon Bristow

The Liberal Democrats have taken control of Hull City Council on a dramatic night in the Local Elections, ending more than a decade of Labour rule at the Guildhall.

There were loud cheers from the Lib Dem benches in the council chamber as the last result of the 19 seats being contested was delivered early this morning, giving the party 29 seats to Labour’s 27.

The authority had been a key target for party leader Sir Ed Davey, and his team, led by Hull Lib Dem group leader Coun Mike Ross, duly delivered, breaking Labour’s stranglehold on a city it had ruled since 2011.

The result meant misery for the now former council leader, Coun Daren Hale, who lost control of the authority in his first electoral test as Labour group leader since succeeding Steve Brady in May last year.

‘LABOUR WASN’T LISTENING’: A jubilant Mike Ross, front left, welcomes another win for the Liberal Democrats

There were a number of high profile casualties, with the authority’s two longest-serving councillors - Labour’s John Black, and Conservative John Fareham - both losing their seats.

Fareham’s loss of his Bricknell seat to Labour’s Sarah Harper means there are now no Conservative councillors in Hull. Fareham was first elected to the council in 1983.

Black’s heavy defeat to Lib Dem Tim Kemp in Longhill & Bilton Grange was the final nail in Labour’s coffin.

It was one of three Lib Dem gains from Labour, adding to wins by Holly Burton in University ward, and Terence Keal in Sutton.

CHANGE: Holly Burton’s win for the Liberal Democrats in University ward signalled the beginning of the end for Labour

“I think we are seeing a political earthquake,” said Coun Burton in her victory speech, and so it proved.

Speaking after the election result, a jubilant Coun Ross told The Hull Story: “What we have been picking up on the doorstep was very much local issues, and that people wanted change.

“Residents felt the Labour council had stopped listening to their concerns, and that has been key to our victory. But there’s also the backdrop of the Conservative Government, and with these results people have sent a message to both Labour and the Conservatives.

“What we want to do now is get the fundamental basics right, and that means going out and listening to the residents of Hull. We’ll be working hard to reform this council and making sure we are listening to the public and making sure we deliver what they want to see happen.”

The Avenues ward polling station in Pearson Park. Overall turnout was 23.5 per cent

Coun Ross said he felt Labour had focused too much on “big ticket projects” at the expense of other issues that mattered to voters.

The night had begun well for Labour, with Aneesa Akbar comfortably retaining her seat in Central ward. But the party’s solitary gain was in Bricknell, and it could not withstand a resurgent Lib Dem campaign in what was a hard-fought election.

The election also saw the end of Steve Brady’s political career as he did not contest his seat in Southcoates, which was won by Anna Thompson in a hold for Labour.

Overall turnout was 23.5 per cent.

The make-up of the council is now Liberal Democrats 29 seats, Labour 27, and one unaligned member.