CONSERVATIVE chiefs hailed the party’s triumph in Gorse Hill as a ‘momentous victory’ and declared there were no ‘no go’ areas for the party as it bids to seek control of the council.
While Worcester MP Robin Walker labelled the result ‘completely unprecedented’, Tory group leader Coun Marc Bayliss warned the result showed all parties needed to be on their mettle and not become complacent in any of their seats.
“I have just checked with Roger Berry who knows all of these things and I don’t think the Conservatives have ever won Gorse Hill in its current form which goes back 14 years and Roger cannot remember us winning it back when it was called All Saints,” he said.
“It’s a very interesting set of results, obviously we are pleased we’ve ended up with the same seats we came in with.
I’m very sad we have lost Steve Mackay, an excellent colleague but gained another in Mohammed Altaf and it means we end up all square.
“Labour have the most questions to answer tonight, they have lost a seat, their vote has collapsed in a number of wards and their share of the vote is down across the city,” he added.
Coun Bayliss confirmed he would remain leader of the city council for at least six months as per the council constitution should his party choose to re-elect him as party leader when they meet next week.
Labour leader Coun Adrian Gregson described the results as ‘mixed’ and reflected on his party’s defeat in Gorse Hill
“It’s disappointing to lose a seat, particularly in that manner when suddenly a large number of people register at the last minute in one particular district, that’s unusual,” he said.
“But equally we have two very good councillors coming on board who bring enthusiasm to the Labour Party, we have six women councillors in the Labour group which means you must question the Tories commitment to equality.
“I think we have a good opportunity to take some of our policies forward over the next year as long as the new leader of the council doesn’t try to overturn them.”
Coun Gregson said it would be ‘interesting’ to see the Conservative leader get through policies which may be opposed by the 18 Labour and Green councillors on the council.
“What kind of a leader will he be if he can’t deliver the council behind him?”
A jubilant Green Party leader Coun Louis Stephen said he was ‘over the moon’ to welcome a third Green councillor to the Guildhall with the election of Louise Griffiths in Battenhall.
“It’s the culmination of a year of hard work, knocking on doors, listening to local residents and what they want and being hard working councillors for the local area,” he said.
“We use the resources we have to work in certain areas of the city, what we want to do is get more members and we will build that up over time.”
“What it does mean is we can now cover all the major committees meaning a Green will be in the room putting our case on all the different committees on the council.
“We’re thankful to the people of Battenhall and of Worcester for their support, the job now is to repay them and make sure we do a good job.”
