The red flag continues to fly high in Sunderland City Council as Labour maintained its firm hold within the local authority.
The Labour party and the Liberal Democrats were in jubilant mood on election night, as the Conservatives were left wanting - despite holding on to important wards. Leader of Sunderland Council, Cllr Graeme Miller said the night had gone "very well" for Labour, with Cllr Niall Hodson, leader of the Lib Dems, also happy with the results.
The Liberal Democrats made a huge gain in the Fulwell ward - taking a seat in place of the Conservative Party's James Doyle, who had stood down. The party secured five seats on the council with Cllr Peter Arnold Walton, securing 1,879 votes to make a gain in the ward.
Read more: Local elections 2023 LIVE: Sunderland, South Tyneside and Newcastle results all in
The new look council now comprises of 45 Labour seats, 15 Liberal Democrats, 13 Conservative and one Reform UK. Labour made gains, taking back seats in St Anne's, Barnes and Ryhope, while the Conservatives held the St Michael's, St Peter's and St Chad's wards.
Speaking after the results were finalised, leader of Sunderland Council, Cllr Graeme Miller said the night had gone "very well" for Labour. He said: "We've picked up three councillors from seats that the Conservatives thought were safe. I'd like the thank the people of Sunderland for trusting us and voting for us, because that's what it's about. I look forward to continuing that next year."
In Washington West, 74-year-old Labour Cllr Harry Trueman - the former council leader - was once again re-elected and has now served his ward for 26 years. He secured 1,534 votes.
The Liberal Democrats maintained their hold in Millfield, Doxford, Pallion, and the Sandhill wards, making an impressive mark and gaining the competitive edge over the Tories.
Lib Dem group leader Cllr Niall Hodson said: "It's great news for the Liberal Democrats, we've become the majority opposition on Sunderland City Council, so it's quite clear now that Sunderland is a Labour, Lib Dem contest."
Leader of the Conservatives, Antony Mullen, said Tory voters had not turned out, resulting in a drop in support. He said: "Clearly the story of the night is not that Conservative voters have turned Labour, it is that they haven't turned out at all and we have seen huge drops in our support simply because Conservatives haven't voted.
"So in my ward (Barnes) for example, Labour actually got fewer votes than they did last year and won, we lost 500 because those people didn't turn out at all. So I think the drop in turnout across the city is Conservatives who have decided that they have no enthusiasm to vote for us but equally, they have no enthusiasm to go elsewhere either".
Read next:
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- Newcastle City Council local elections 2023: All the candidates, big issues, and seats to watch
- Sunderland elections: Will Labour continue its hold or will there be a major upset?
- Local elections 2023: Your guide to what's happening in Tyne and Wear on May 4
