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Labour Party wiped off Boston's political map

Tuesday, June 09, 2009, 11:13

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THE Labour Party has been wiped off Boston's political map after losing all three of its seats in Thursday's Lincolnshire County Council elections.

Big winners were the Conservatives who increased their number of seats from two to five while the Boston Bypass Independents Party (BBIP) took one seat and independent candidate Michael Brookes was elected in Boston Rural ward by just two votes.

There was further success for the Tories in two Boston Borough Council by-elections as they held on to seats in Pilgrim and Kirton wards.

Coun Peter Bedford, who leads the Conservative group on Boston Borough Council and also retained his Coastal ward seat on the county council, told the Target the results were "magnificent."

He said: "We are very pleased that the people of Boston have turned to the Conservatives in such numbers.

"It was a very difficult election to call throughout the campaign and all the way up to the count.

"National matters definitely contributed to the result but the Conservatives record locally was also a big factor.

"Personally I'm delighted that the people of Coastal division re-elected me and I'm now looking forward to doing my best for them in the next four years."

Boston Labour Party spokesman Paul Kenny blamed the national political situation for his party's dismal performance.

He said: "We are disappointed. I feel many of us could have done a good job at the county council but it wasn't to be.

"What has gone on in London has obviously played a big part when people have gone to the ballot box. It was not a good night for Labour in Boston but we will be back."

Before the election there had been speculation that the British National Party (BNP) could make gains in Boston.

However, none of the party's three candidates managed to take a seat although Colin Westcott did come second in Boston North West.

Party spokesman David Owens, who represents Fenside on Boston Borough Council, said: "It would have been nice to have won a seat but overall we ran a fair campaign, got our message across and received a good share of the vote."

It was mixed night of results for the BBIP with party leader Richard Austin losing his Boston South seat to the Tories but Ray Newell taking Boston West from long serving Labour councillor Paul Goodale.

Coun Newell said: "I am grateful to the voters of Boston West for giving me the opportunity to represent them at the county council. It's an honour.

"I will take every opportunity to hold the Conservatives to account for why Boston doesn't have a bypass."

Looking at the wider BBIP performance Coun Newell claimed the party would have fared better had it not been for the national political situation.

He said: "Clearly national concerns were on many people's minds. Nationally the Conservatives are in the ascendency and the results showed that.

"Had more people voted on Boston issues I'm sure we would have taken more seats."

Lincolnshire County Council Results

Boston East Turnout: 28%

Mike Gilbert (Cons) 674

Paul Kenny (Lab) 426

Gerry Clare (BBIP) 406

Mike Sheridan-Shinn (Lib Dem) 277

Boston Coastal Turnout: 36%