Full results will follow but ... what a corker. Sadly, Darren Price & Keith Dawkins didn't get in, but PHF got Sue Little at Seaton plus Tony Richardson at Fens & Rossmere - the latter booting out the golden boy, Alan Clark. Also, Tom Cassidy is the new Independent for Hart!
Full Results: https://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/news/article/1221/hartlepool_local_election_results
Bit of a mixed result there with a few little surprises.
Most disappointed for Darren Price who I don't think could have done much more. Hope he has another go as I believe Cranney is next. 74 votes for Cranney's mate... and 312 for a paper Tory.. neither of whom had anything resembling a campaign... why?? I don't understand some people.
It also shows once again that some wards are just a waste of effort. i.e. Manor ::)
Fens and Rossmere was an interesting one though.
Quote from: Foggy on May 04, 2018, 04: AM
Bit of a mixed result there with a few little surprises.
Most disappointed for Darren Price who I don't think could have done much more. Hope he has another go as I believe Cranney is next. 74 votes for Cranney's mate... and 312 for a paper Tory.. neither of whom had anything resembling a campaign... why?? I don't understand some people.
Disappointing this one. The candidate previous wards rejected finds refuge in the Leaders feifdom. Some voters just do't think, they vote by instinctive reaction. They learn nothing and forget nothing.
I see in some wards you can still put a red rosette on a pig and people still vote for it.
In some wards electing councillors is like buying tea bags. They've always bought the same 'Barrel Scraper' brand tea bags since before the Boer War, their great Grandparents, Grandparents and parents saw no reason to change and they're going to carry on the tradition of sticking with the sweepings of the tea chest because basically it avoids having to think.
QuoteDisappointing this one. The candidate previous wards rejected finds refuge in the Leaders feifdom. Some voters just do't think, they vote by instinctive reaction. They learn nothing and forget nothing.
It really does demonstrate that voters are utterly clueless in some wards. Ann Marshall who hawked herself all over town absolutely desperate to be elected so she could pack in working at ASDA, over Darren Price, the bloke who bough sharp bins out of his own money and went around picking up druggies needles that the council had missed.
Then there's mad dog. I didn't expect her to lose Manor House, but it's still frustrating. There are 5 or 6 hundred people on the Manor who, over the last few years, have basically shown they would vote for the Devil himself if he promised to take their old washing machines away for nowt. I'd also love to meet the 191 Conservative voters who live in Manor House and ask them ................. why?
Then there's Clarkie. A decent bloke who is now carrying the can for Akers-Belcher's greed regarding the 31% rise. Labour weren't expecting that one and to be honest neither was I. Still, if you lie down with dogs...
All in all, for Labour to make ZERO gains overall with so many Indys up at once AND under a harsh Tory government, it shows you how far the red flag has fallen under Akers-Belcher, Cranney and the 5 strong cabal.
The bell is tolling for Beck in Hart, 2 down, 1 to go!
I was told he was in Morrisons last week collecting for the Rifty? Has it moved to his ward?
The Tories in their election 'literature' kept saying they are the not Party who can hold Labour to account. How?
As they are a minority party, how is that even possible, are their three councillors all hypnotists?
Someone please explain to me how this is possible.
Like DR in saddened that Darren was beaten by Ann Marshall.
I also agree regarding Alan Clark, he's a decent lad but has paid the price for supporting the current leadership. I suspect it will hit him hardest in the pocket, what use a 31% rise now.
Ironically the results help the SCAB's tighten their grip on the Labour group, Marshall will be yet another yes man.
Looks like its up to grass roots labour members to actually do something to drain the swamp.
One can see the value of the Odious Little t*a* to the SCAB's, tory candidates in as spoilers. They should hang their heads in shame
Well done to Sue Little, Tom Cassidy, Tony Richardson, Tim Fleming and John Lauderdale.
Very disappointed for Darren he ran a good campaign but as mentioned, you could put a red rosette on a pig in some wards and it would get in.
So no change in the council chamber the SCABAL still rule the roost, I suppose we can only sit back and watch the Corbynite Mob cleanse Hartlepool Labour. ::)
I see Ann as an extra mob member and Alan as the loss of one of their compliant foot soldiers. I don't think they will be bothered.
The nasty party became a bit nastier.
The "independent" in Hart was the only one who bothered to knock on doors and talk to people, it did him the power of good. Well done Thomas Cassidy!
Quote from: Inspector Knacker on May 04, 2018, 07: AM
The Tories in their election 'literature' kept saying they are the not Party who can hold Labour to account. How?
As they are a minority party, how is that even possible, are their three councillors all hypnotists?
Someone please explain to me how this is possible.
I thinks its call suspension of disbelief, that, or they have swallowed their own BS ;)
They should just change their name from Conservative to Compliant. They're happy to be the Labour sidekick, dog whistle politics par excellence.
'They're Conservatives Jim, but not as we know it' to paraphrase Star Trek.
More Klingon, or should that be Cling on, than Conservative.
It wouldn't have happened in my day Geoff.. :-X
It'll be interesting who replaces Clark as Chair of Children's Services, it could be a chance for Barclay to shine.
Quote from: Lord Elpus on May 04, 2018, 11: AM
It'll be interesting who replaces Clark as Chair of Children's Services, it could be a chance for Barclay to shine.
I did not think you could polish a tu*d?
I really can't believe that Ann Marshall was elected in Foggy Furze, especially after all Darren Price has done. Better luck next time Darren and if I am able to I'll give you as much support as I can.
Just a bit of number crunching for the local Labour lot to mull over.
The Tories contested (sort of) all 11 wards and averaged 339 votes per ward.
The 'Others' (Green, fake indys like Cranny's pal and the mad for Britain woman) contested 6 different wards and averaged 108 votes per ward contested.
Labour contested all 11 wards and averaged 579 votes per ward.
The real independent candidates including PHF's contested wards was 10 wards in total contested (neither PHF or the indy group contested Victoria ward, more on that later).
The average vote across those 10 wards contested was 610 votes.
So in pure raw 'average votes per ward contested' Labour have crashed to less than 600 votes per ward for what I'm fairly sure is the first time EVER in a 'one third or all out' local election in Hartlepool.
Independents have now shown in very recent years they can win in Burn valley, Fens and Rossmere, Hart, Jesmond, Headland and Harbour and Seaton. 6 different wards. Independents have also ran Labour VERY close in Foggy Furze.
There is no doubt at all that Labour are beatable or very vulnerable in 7 of the 11 wards (8 if you include west park being tory).
They're only really EXTREMELY safe in Manor House, VERY safe in De Bruce and reasonably safe in Victoria Ward.
Don't believe the "we came with 19 seats and we left with 19 seats" line from Akers-Belcher. You could see their faces last night. They expected to end up with at least 21 seats, maybe 22. They thought they'd walk Hart, defend Fens and Rossmere, pick up Jesmond (which they did) and possibly take back the Headland from Tim.
It didn't pan out like that, they lost one of their best cabinet members, picked up another passenger in Ann Marshall and Jim 'loadsofmoney' Lindridge ended up looking like an idiot on what will probably end up being channel 4 national tele.
Whatever the new influx of Labour are members are doing I hope they keep doing it. ;)
Quote from: DRiddle on May 04, 2018, 01: PM
Whatever the new influx of Labour are members are doing I hope they keep doing it. ;)
Nationally that will be Labour's problem. All the new intake were told they were on a winner and they only had to get the message across and everyone would vote for them. They now find that they are stalled and in some places rolling backwards. Both main parties are neck-and-neck and the anticipated 'Golden Age' is not now a realistic prospect. Sweeping change is out and that must deflate the newbies. They will now be thinking what is the point of it all and a lot will just give up.
I think the new intake better wake up to the fact Corbyn is a committed Brexiteer and is just letting them think he is a Remainer to keep them on side. He is cynically exploiting their (mistaken) belief he wants to stay in the EU.
Have to say watching the Election coverage last night was a revelation. John McDonnell comes across as an arrogant bully who is every bit the graceless thug he is always made out to be.
The Tory vote in Foggy Furze continues to baffle me. It seems strangely high. Why would 312 people vote for someone who is essentially a fake candidate? No active campaigning, no leaflets and a silhouette in the Fail along with a pathetic copy and paste write up attacking independents.
I thought it was just this election but, although the Tory percentage is a little higher this year, looking back over the last few elections its not that unusual.
2018
A Marshall - Labour - 658 (39.64%)
D Price - Independent - 553 (33.31%)
A Martin-Wells - Cons - 312 (18.80%)
A Wildberg - 74 (4.46%)
M Ritchie - Green - 63 (3.80%)
2016
C Akers-Belcher - Labour - 828 (44.9%)
D Price - UKIP - 748 (40.56%)
B Reeve - Cons - 268 (14.53%)
2015
K Cranney - Labour - 1330 (35.9%)
C Cassidy - UKIP - 1028 (27.75%)
D Price - PHF - 628 (16.95%)
B Reeve - Cons - 531 (14.33%)
D McIntyre - Green - 188 (5.07%)
2014
K Sirs - Labour - 677 (37.93%)
P Fenn - UKIP - 593 (33.22%)
A Martin-Wells - Cons - 208 (11.65%)
M Sinclair - PHF - 197 (11.04%)
L Gillam - Lib Dem - 110 (6.16%)
I don't really know what to make of this but there are two things I know for sure:
People who vote for fake candidates need to give their head a shake.... and Darren Price should keep going as he will get there in the end. Look at Sue Little in Seaton. Definitely worth a go at Cranney's seat ;)
If you want to see what Labour were saying (Nationally with Eddie Izzard front and centre) before the Elections rather than today's pathetic excuses read this:
https://order-order.com/2018/05/04/humiliation-owen-jones-unseat-tories-vanity-campaign
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/EywZ2m.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/poEywZ2mj)
If Alan Clarke can get turned over, the likes of CAB & Cranney could easily face the same consequences...... As much as the pair of them think they are the dogs bollox, they are reviled by the vast majority of the electorate......and not without good reason. ::)
I ceased working the Manor a couple of months ago and coming into contact with many people on a daily basis was always puzzled at how many would show their contempt for councillors then announce they always vote Labour to keep the Tories out.
Baffled me too.
There must be some genetic reason, logic defied.
Now that the dust of this year's locals has settled somewhat, do we know what basic salary the newly elected/re-elected councillors will be drawing - will any of them be electing for the pre 31% rise amount ?
And yes I Know it's not strictly a salary, but in Hrtlpool for most of them it might as well be.
I also consider those who 'donate the increase to good/charitable causes' to have taken the full amount. I am quite capable of making my own decisions about which charities I donate to and how much.
Quote from: Gustaf I of England + BWH on May 10, 2018, 08: PM
Now that the dust of this year's locals has settled somewhat, do we know what basic salary the newly elected/re-elected councillors will be drawing - will any of them be electing for the pre 31% rise amount ?
And yes I Know it's not strictly a salary, but in Hrtlpool for most of them it might as well be.
I also consider those who 'donate the increase to good/charitable causes' to have taken the full amount. I am quite capable of making my own decisions about which charities I donate to and how much.
My understanding is that all councillors receive the new allowance of £7792 with the SRA single weighted allowance being the same. What they then decide to do with the money is up to them.
Quote from: jeffh on May 10, 2018, 08: PM
Quote from: Gustaf I of England + BWH on May 10, 2018, 08: PM
Now that the dust of this year's locals has settled somewhat, do we know what basic salary the newly elected/re-elected councillors will be drawing - will any of them be electing for the pre 31% rise amount ?
And yes I Know it's not strictly a salary, but in Hrtlpool for most of them it might as well be.
I also consider those who 'donate the increase to good/charitable causes' to have taken the full amount. I am quite capable of making my own decisions about which charities I donate to and how much.
My understanding is that all councillors receive the new allowance of £7792 with the SRA single weighted allowance being the same. What they then decide to do with the money is up to them.
And in any 'normal' council that would be only right and proper. But this is Hrtlpool we are talking about, the town with no Conservative and no Labour parties to speak of - just a load of chancers free-loading off the party name. As I see it we now have four or five classes (sorry , can't think of a better term for it) of councillor in the town :-
Those that rejected the 31% increase outright and draw the pre-increase allowance.
Those that rejected the increase but draw the new rate - donating the increase amount to charity.
Those that voted for the increase, realised they had dropped themselves in it with the electorate so announced they would donate the increase to charity.
Those that voted for the increase and don't give a toss what the electorate think - it's their money and they're going to keep it.
Those newly elected who legitimately claim the increased allowance because it is now the going rate. (Although I would like to think that some of them would do the decent thing and request the lower amount).
As time goes by and councillors come and go, the increased rate will become the 'norm' and the electorate of Hrtlpool will be saddled with yet more expense. Meanwhile the town goes to rack and ruin - industry and businesses close down or move out, more 'executive' housing with inadequate parking and no executives to occupy, more 'affordable' housing that no one can afford, etc. etc. etc.
Perhaps one day we will have a majority of councillors who are there for the benefit of the town and its residents and not simply to line their own pockets/promote their own business(es)/massage their own egos, but probably not in our lifetime.