Majority cut to 66 for Labour leader

Last updated 13:37, Friday, 02 May 2008

THERE was a scare for Labour group leader Michael Boaden who had his majority in Botcherby cut to 66.

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Concentrate: Votes are counted after yesterday’s city council elections

Mr Boaden said: “The Independent candidate took a lot of votes [from me]. But when I was first elected eight years ago the majority was only 20.”

But he put a brave face on the party’s showing in Carlisle, which was nowhere near as bad as the national result. Labour still has 21 councillors, more than it had after the 1999, 2000 and 2002 elections.

And the total is expected to rise to 23 when two formerly Labour-held vacancies in Upperby are filled in June.

That would re-establish Labour’s position as the largest party on the hung council.

Mr Boaden said: “I’m very disappointed that we lost in Yewdale and Belle Vue and narrowly failed to win Morton.

“National politics played a part in the way people voted but they were narrow victories for the Conservatives. They shouldn’t take that as a mandate for their policies.”