Conservatives maintain control of Swindon Borough Council

The Conservative Party has maintained control of Swindon Borough Council, but with a reduced majority following yesterday’s local election.

Of the 19 seats up for election, two changed hands leaving the Conservatives with 29 seats, Labour with 26 and the Liberal Democrats with two seats.

The Labour Party gained a seat in Eastcott with Imtiyaz Shaikh (1,621) being elected ahead of the Liberal Democrat’s Robert Robson (1,344).

The Conservatives also lost Wroughton & Wichelstowe with the Liberal Democrat’s Andrew Spry (1,005) narrowly pipping Wayne Crabbe (998).

The Conservatives held on to seats in Blunsdon & Highworth (Steve Weisinger), Chiseldon & Lawn (Brian Mattock), Covingham & Dorcan (Kevin Parry), Haydon Wick (Garry Perkins), Lydiard & Freshbrook (Tim Swinyard), Priory Vale (Emma Faramarzi), Shaw (Mary Martin), St Andrews (Rahul Tarar) and St Margaret & South Marston (Roger Smith).

Labour held seats in Central (Junab Ali), Gorse Hill & Pinehurst (Carol Shelley), Liden, Eldene & Park South (Janine Howarth), Mannington & Western (Jim Robbins), Old Town (Nadine Watts), Penhill & Upper Stratton (Claire Crilly), Rodbourne Cheney (Peter Watts) and Walcot & Park North (Abdul Amin).

This year’s election attracted national attention with Swindon taking part in a Government-funded trial of the use of voter ID. A large campaign was also co-ordinated by the Council to make sure residents were fully aware of the ID requirements being trialled.

Turnout increased by approximately six per cent to 40 per cent overall.