THE CONSERVATIVES’ majority at Rugby Borough Council has shrunk after the ruling party lost two seats to Labour at the local elections.
Labour’s Alison Livesey took a seat in Coton and Boughton from Coun Jill Simpson-Vince, the Cabinet member for Growth and Investment.
And Michael Moran deposed Coun Dale Keeling in Admirals and Cawston.
It leaves the Conservatives still in control of the council with 23 councillors.
The Labour group now has 10 councillors overall, regaining its place as the opposition party which it lost last year to the Liberal Democrats, who are unchanged with nine seats.
Labour Group leader Coun Maggie O’Rourke said: “The swing to Labour has been huge, showing voters are sending a message that they have had enough of 12 years of cuts by Tories nationally, aided and abetted by their councillors in Rugby.
“We’ve broken through to win two formerly safe Tory wards. The direction of travel is clear – Labour can win anywhere in the borough.
“We set out a positive, pragmatic manifesto for change. Our messages are breaking through. People know we’re the only party that has a vision and a plan to take Rugby to where it needs to be.
“I want to thank everyone who voted Labour. As councillors and as a party we will work in the interests of the whole of Rugby.”
Newly-elected Coun Alison Livesey said: “I am absolutely delighted and honoured to have been elected by the people of Coton and Boughton. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in to deliver for the people in Coton and Boughton and making a positive difference for everyone.”
Coun Michael Moran said: “I’m humbled by the result and grateful for the support that people have shown for me. People have responded to positive politics and together, we can get things done.”
Candidates contested 14 seats in this year’s elections – a third of the total.
See the full results below.
Admirals & Cawston – LAB GAIN
Richard James Brook (Green) – 132
Dale Keeling (Conservative) – 812
Isabelle Anne McKenzie (Liberal Democrats) – 204
Michael James Moran (Labour) – 1,220
Benn – LAB HOLD
Angela Josephine Dunne (Green) – 256
Richard Oliver Harrington (Labour) – 962
Rachel Elizabeth Lowe (Conservative) – 313
Bilton – CON HOLD
Laura Amy Michelle Clarke (Green) – 138
Mark William Gore (Labour) – 441
Toby James Patrick Lawrence (Conservative) – 900
Stephen Warwick Pimm (Liberal Democrats) – 688
Coton & Boughton – LAB GAIN
Edward John Blackburn (Liberal Democrats) – 159
Alison Ann Livesey (Labour) – 780
Jamie Pullin (Libertarian) – 33
Jill Beverley Simpson-Vince (Conservative) – 753
Mawgan Leo Tavares Stinchcombe (Green) – 132
Dunsmore – CON HOLD
Jonathan Carl Bennett (Liberal Democrats) – 807
Kieren Richard George Brown (Labour) – 454
Deepah Roberts (Conservative) – 1,239
Eastlands – LIB DEM HOLD
Sam Edwards (Liberal Democrats) – 958
Ben Gladwin (Labour) – 453
Becca Stevenson (Green) – 129
Heidi Maria Thomas (Conservative) – 398
Hillmorton – CON HOLD
Julie Douglas (Liberal Democrats) – 295
Ian James Picker (Conservative) – 889
Audrey Kathleen Rooney-Ellis (Labour) – 765
New Bilton – LAB HOLD
Christopher Johnson (Conservative) – 377
Maralyn Janet Pickup (Green) – 183
John Anthony Slinger (Labour) – 803
Newbold & Brownsover – LAB HOLD
Ram Srivastava (Labour) – 918
Joel Denis McNally Srodon (Conservative) – 541
Mark Andrew Summers (Green) – 207
Paddox – LIB DEM HOLD
Bob Beggs (Green) – 111
Bella Leathley (Conservative) – 445
Chris Mawby (Labour) – 381
Noreen Coral New (Liberal Democrats) – 1,198
Revel & Binley Woods – CON HOLD
Belinda Jane Garcia (Conservative) – 1,232
Jonathan Richard Vickers (Labour) – 690
Rokeby & Overslade – LIB DEM HOLD
Sarah Yvonne Elizabeth Feeney (Labour) – 325
Bill Lewis (Liberal Democrats) – 1,432
Alex Osiatynski (Conservative) – 422
Wolston & The Lawfords – CON HOLD
Philip John Burns (Labour) – 579
Lesley Karen Summers (Green) – 247
Hossain Tafazzal (Liberal Democrats) – 96
Simon Ward (Conservative) – 1,079
Wolvey & Shilton – CON HOLD
Christopher Stephen Lee (Labour) – 192
Becky Maoudis (Conservative) – 570
