Labour gets a kick in the town halls
'You win some you lose some' - that's the result of Labour's town hall tussles in the local elections
The local elections 2016 across Greater Manchester produced a last minute defection, gains for Ukip and a backlash to anti-semitism.
Labour consolidated its control over the region despite suffering a kick in the ballots and a few town hall tussles.
The Lib Dems were beaten in Stockport after a last-minute switch by Cheadle Hulme South Councillor Stuart Bodsworth who dramatically joined the Labour Party on the same day as the local elections.
Councillor Bodsworth said ‘All of my work in politics has been directed toward building a more sustainable future for everyone, promoting the values of environmental sustainability and working to reduce social inequality, while maintaining a strong yet fair economy.
The Lib Dem demolition in Stockport was later sealed with leader Sue Derbyshire losing her seat.
It means for the first time in 18 years the Lib Dems are not the largest group in Stockport town even though no party has overall control.
There were two gains for Ukip in Bolton while the loss of three Labour councillors in Prestwich was blamed on the anti-Semitism row sparked by former London mayor Ken Livingstone's comments about Hitler.
PL