Stockport is something of an anomaly when it comes to Greater Manchester councils. In no overall control since 2011, it has been run by Labour for the last six years despite the Lib Dems emerging as the largest group at last year’s local elections.
A shock victory for the Greens in Reddish South left Labour with one fewer councillor than the Lib Dems, appearing to signal that the administration could again change hands. But - at a crunch meeting the following week - opposition groups refused to oust council leader Elise Wilson before the end of her term, meaning Labour remained at the helm.
Lib Dem leader Coun Mark Hunter could only fume at an alleged ‘unholy alliance’ between Labour and the Tories, blocking his group from taking the town hall reins. With votes set to go to the polls next Thursday, it’s very much a case of ‘as you were’ last May - with Labour holding 25 of the council’s 63 seats and the Lib Dems just ahead on 26.
