Labour narrowly regains North Warwickshire Borough Council

[dutchman]

Jubilant Labour are back in control of North Warwickshire Borough Council after a knife-edge election contest that was only settled after a recount.



It went right to the wire, with the outcome ultimately swayed by Nigel Turley's success in the Arley and Whitacre ward which now gives Labour a slender one-seat majority.

They had gone into the election needing to oust three Conservative councillors to regain control of the council after eight years in opposition.

They achieved their target - but only just.

The Tories went to the polls holding a 20-15 advantage on the 35-seat authority.

Today, Labour hold the balance of power after the election gave them a slender but much-savoured 18-17 verdict.

It wasn't until 2.40am yesterday that the Arley and Whitacre outcome was announced - the final result of the night and one of three wards which hinged on recounts.

The irony was not lost on Labour's Mike O'Brien, who lost his seat as North Warwickshire's MP at the last General Election by fewer than 60 votes after three recounts.

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