Labour win control of Swindon Council

The Conservatives will no longer run the local authority

Author: Harry LongPublished 5th May 2023
Last updated 5th May 2023

For the first time more than 20 years, Labour has an overall majority on Swindon Council.

The Conservatives will no longer run the local authority, following today's election results.

The Council's Tory Leader David Renard has also lost his seat in Haydon Wick.

Jim Robbins will now replace David Renard as the party's leader.

Councillor Renard said: "We knew it was going to be tough, because Labour have had hundreds of activists all over Swindon for the last few weeks now. The national picture has been difficult for us and has come up on the doorstep, and is one of the reasons we've got this result today.

"We've had many good election results over the years, there are highs and lows for political parties, this is obviously a low for us - the national vote has largely gone in Labour's favour and Swindon is not immune from national swings."

Coun Renard said he would rest for a while and consider his options for the future: “I might think about making a comeback later, but I might not.

“I’m very proud, however, of everything the council has been able to achieve in my 10 years as leader. I’m sorry that we won’t be able to carry on and deliver the rest of the programme we had set out for improving the town.

“But I wish the new leader well and hope that the new administration can build on the successes of the Conservative administration.”

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