Labour has held Edgeley and Cheadle Heath in the by-election triggered by the death of stalwart councillor Sheila Bailey. Coun Georgia Lynott secured the Stockport seat for Labour with 53pc of the vote, despite unrest in the local party’s ranks and a strong push from the Liberal Democrats.
Lib Dem candidate Robbie Cowbury, came second with 38pc of the vote, while the Greens’ Phil Handscomb took the remaining 9pc. Coun Lynott said she owed her victory to a Labour ‘team effort’.
“I think it was the hard work of everyone - the Labour volunteers getting out on the doorstep talking to people made a big difference,” she said. While her vote share was relatively comfortable it was significantly down on the 72pc recorded by Coun Bailey in 2021 and Coun Louise Heywood at this year’s local elections.
