Warrington Local Elections 2024 results and comments

And after all the counting was down, Labour was returned with a huge majority.

The results in Warrington mirroring much of those across the country as voters turn their back on the current Government.

But how did the results play out in Warrington and what do they mean for the future.

Historic day for Labour

The assumption is Warrington is always a Labour town.

But it is only a decade ago that a Liberal Democrat/Conservative coalition was in power in the Town Hall.

That feels a long time ago judging on Saturday's results.

Even the most optimistic Labour supporter was privately predicting a win with 38 or 39 councillors.

By the time the counting was done, they had won 42.

Sweeping Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft from the Tories was perhaps the most notable win.

They even won a seat back in Penketh where the independents led by Geoff Fellows have ruled for the past three years.

And they won all three seats in Birchwood, ousting Conservative council group leader Nigel Balding.

It was perhaps only in Burtonwood, where Siobhan Carr lost to independent Stuart Mann and Rixton and Woolston where Rob Tynan won the only Tory seat where the was disappointment.

They have a huge mandate now but will they use it?

Will we finally see a traveller transit camp set up? Will there be a rethink of the controversial investment policy?

Talk in the weeks running up to the vote were of a potential challenge to leader Hans Mundry. Will that still happen after he delivered the historic win?

Conservative wipeout

There is no dressing it up, this was a very, very bad set of results for the Tories.

They went in with 10 councillors after a brilliant 2021, now they have just one.

They were routed by the Liberal Democrats in Appleton and even Nigel Balding lost in Birchwood, despite the departure of former leader Russ Bowden there.

They have challenged Labour on its debt repeatedly over the past three years. But that clearly has not resonated with voters.

Most likely, the local councillors were a victim of the national picture where the Conservatives have suffered a shocking set of results.

It is not just defeats but the size of the majorities in many areas which will worry party bosses.

But will there be some reflections on what could have been done differently

Delight in south for the Lib Dems

The Liberal Democrats made the most of Tory disquiet it could be said.

They swept the south of the town, winning back seats they lost in 2021.

Even areas like Grappenhall and Thelwall, which were close three years ago, delivered whopping wins for them.

Lymm is all Lib Dem for the first time in living memory.

Can they force their way back into areas such as Sankey, Latchford and Padgate as they did when they ran the council in coalition with the Tories in the early 2010s.

What does it mean for the General?

Of course the most important election of the year is yet to come.

Most likely this year (although it could be January), a General Election will take place.

Warrington South has often been a bellweather seat. Who wins here can shape a Government.

READ MORE > All the results from the local elections in Warrington

Judging on today's results, it won't be close. Especially as incumbent Andy Carter says he won't stand for the Tories. And with Lymm moving to Tatton for the next election.

We can expect a comfortable Labour win there and a landslide in the north after Charlotte Nicholls won narrowly last time out.

However there some areas of hope. First, it seems a lot of Conservatives stayed at home. Turnout was dreadful (more of that later).

Secondly, in the past Liberal Democrats swept the south of the town in the local elections but it doesn't translate to General Election intentions.

Things can change quickly in politics but it will need to if the Tories have a chance.

A final word - apathy

Perhaps the low of the results was the turnout.

Less than one in three people bothered to vote.

All parties spoke of a real lack of interest on the doorstep. And that is a worry.

These results do matter and will have a huge say on how the Town Hall is run for the next four years until the next vote in 2028.

There was even a lack of interest in standing, There were 20 per cent fewer candidates and in many areas of town, very little choice.

That must be addressed going forward for the sake of democracy.