'Mood for change' as Conservatives lose control of North East Lincolnshire Council as Labour make most gains

The Conservatives hold on power at North East Lincolnshire Council is over after a string of victories for Labour and Independent candidates in the local elections.

From a majority of 27 seats on the 42-seat council, the Conservatives lost their sizeable majority and were cut to 19 seats. It was Labour's night after taking six seats. Meanwhile, Independents are now on five and the Liberal Democrats remain on three.

Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Councillor Philip Jackson, said it was a "disappointing result."

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"It is in line with the national trend which has affected us locally," he said.

He said there would have to now be a spirit of cooperation with the leaders of the other parties for the benefit of the residents of North East Lincolnshire.

His Conservative Group had campaigned on providing "continuity" with a raft of major developments funded in the main by Levelling Up. But many voters have swung to Labour. In one ward, Croft Baker, there was a 23 per cent swing.

They took Sidney Sussex, Scartho and Park wards, among their six victories.

Leader of the Labour Group on the council, Kathryn Wheatley, said: "I speak with Philip Jackson regularly and will continue to do so. It is going to be a busy weekend. We will have to weigh up our position before we start to talk with the Leader and see a way forward. Until I have had a meeting with the other members of the group we can't say what the strategy is going to be. We will decide as a group."

Labour candidate for the parliamentary seat of Grimsby and Cleethorpes, Melanie Onn, said: "It is a big change from 2021. We have taken seats like Scartho. We have not done that since 1995. There is definitely mood for change."

Cleethorpes' Conservative MP Martin Vickers said: "It is obviously disappointing. We have a minority administration which does not give stability which is important for the area. It is important to press ahead with the major projects from Levelling Up which will be transformative."

A Full Council meeting will be held in the coming weeks when Councillor Steve Beasant will become mayor and representation on various committees will be decided.