Labour make waves in Stoke-on-Trent election
They've won a majority in the area after no overall control for the last year.
Last updated 5th May 2023
It's been a big night for Labour after they have taken control of Stoke-on-Trent.
They've exceeded the 23 seats they needed in the key "red wall city".
It's the first time since 2015 the city has gone to Labour, with the Conservatives picking up no extra seats this time round.
Labour won 29 seats and the Conservatives stayed with 14.
Elsewhere in the country, Labour took Medway off the Tories and will run the Kent council for the first time since 1998.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been saying it's too early to draw full conclusions, he said: "We've only had a quarter of the results in but the message I am hearing from people tonight is that they want us to focus on their priorities and deliver for them."
Experts are calling it a "hollow" victory in Stoke-on-Trent, blaming a low voter turnout and losses to the city's independents.
But that didn't stop Labour councillors elected dancing around a sports hall.
Going into the election, issues such as potholes, fly-tipping and the new Smithfield car park dominated doorstep discussions.
Stoke-on-Trent Labour group Leader Jane Ashworth said dealing with these issues would be the priorities of her new administration.
She said: “There are a few things we need to get on with straight away – we need to make the city considerably cleaner, we need to get after the flytippers, we need to look at the future of the Smithfield car park.
“We’re going to be clearing up eight years of Conservative running of the city. We will offer open and transparent leadership.
“I feel it’s a turning point because people have said the national and local management of government has left people without resources and job prospects and they’re big issues for us to tackle.
“We won’t be making empty promises. We want the city council to be trusted for doing what it says it’s going to do.”
It's one of the three councils Labour have won a majority in so far.
Overall, the Conservatives are set for a loss in England with Labour making waves.