Posted on 05/04/2006 10:46:46 PM PDT by MadIvan
David Cameron's crusade to put the Conservatives back on the map in the cities was boosted last night amid signs it had won some crucial London boroughs.
But on a night of mixed fortunes for the party, it appeared the Tories had failed to make a breakthrough in the big northern cities like Manchester, Liverpool or Newcastle where the party does not have a single councillor.
Jubilant Conservatives were predicting victory early this morning in the pivotal London battleground of Hammersmith and Fulham, for the first time in nearly 40 years, as well as in Croydon. In another significant result, the party also won control of Crawley in Sussex from Labour by a single seat. It also seized Coventry for the first time since 1978, as well as Mole Valley, Chorley and Bassetlaw.
The party also claimed Winchester, where the Liberal Democrat MP, Mark Oaten, has been beset by scandals, from the Liberal Democrats.
And there were encouraging signs from other parts of the country too, with the Tories winning a smattering of seats in Birmingham, Warrington, Barrow, Bury, Sunderland and Wigan.
In another dramatic development, early reports from Tower Hamlets suggested that George Galloway's Respect party could emerge as the single biggest party in a council which had been dominated by Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
By 2am this morning, the Conservatives were predicting that their national share of the vote had broken through the symbolic 40 per cent barrier - up at least two per cent on two years ago.
Labour was expected to see its share of the vote remain at around 26 per cent - the figure it recorded in 2004, which was at the time a 30 year low for the party.
The expected victory in Hammersmith and Fulham will be a big boost for the Tories, who last controlled the council in 1968.
The party's hopes of clinching the borough rose sharply following last year's general election when Greg Hands, the Conservative candidate, won Hammersmith and Fulham from Labour. Last night, Labour insiders admitted the situation appeared "dire".
Stephen Greenhalgh, the Tory group leader on the council, said: "Tonight we have heard the death knell of New Labour in our capital city. We campaigned as tax-cutting Conservatives and we will run this council as tax-cutting Conservatives."
There was a tough battle in Croydon, though the Tories were optimistic about their chances to snatching the council back from Labour. The Tories were also expecting to make gains in Ealing and Merton.
Party officials were also eager to flag up successes in places like Bury, Wigan and Bassetlaw as a sign that they were reaching voters in new areas. However, the early indications were that they had failed to make a breakthrough in Manchester despite Mr Cameron's decision to stage the party's spring conference in the city last month.
Last night party insiders conceded that it had not won any seats in Liverpool, Sheffield and Newcastle either.
In other results, Shrewsbury & Atcham - where no party had overall control - became one of the first big Tory gains of the night. There was relief at Conservative Central Office after the party successfully defended its most vulnerable council in Worcester, though Labour won one seat from an independent councillor.
In Brentwood, Essex, the Tories tightened their grip on the council by winning six seats from the Lib Dems. And there was a similar story in Tamworth, where the Tories increased their majority by winning five seats from Labour. By 2am, the Conservatives had 916 councillors across the country, an increase of 127. Labour had lost 123 councillors.
However, in other London boroughs - including Lewisham and Haringey - it was the Lib Dems who appeared to be making inroads on Labour rather than the Tories.
Francis Maude, the Conservative party chairman, said: "It has been a good evening for the Conservatives. We are continuing to build our support while Labour's melts away. David Cameron's message of change, optimism and hope is in tune with what Britain wants today.
"Our success tonight is also down to the hard work of the councillors, candidates and campaigners on the ground."
What is more is that Hammersmith and Fulham is a truly right wing victory - I know Greg Hands, and he's a solid, true conservative, and the councillors, as you can see, won on a solid, true conservative agenda.
I imagine that Gran is smiling in Heaven this morning.
Regards, Ivan
Ping!
Sounds like conservatives are succeeding everywhere but the U.S. these days.
"Excellent!"
Have a Pint tonight for those conservatives in London! Cheers right mate!
I'm going into London tonight, back to Fulham to visit my parents.
It's ours completely now - a Tory MP with a Tory council. Labour OUT OUT OUT!
Regards, Ivan
Splendid news - though bear in mind the recent spate of general election wins for Labour were merely blips - out the 100 years of the 20th century, the tories were in power for 75! :D
I also note that Ealing council has gone Conservative - whichever party has won Ealing for the past 40 years, has also won the general election!
I'm lucky enough to live on the Isle of Wight - we are the largest constituency in the UK, with the largest tory majority and we're definitely the most Conservative of all!
And despite the socialists' shameless scare tactics, I'm delighted the BNP remain marginalised (its no co-incidence that they pick up votes from socialists, in any event). All in all, pip pip!
All we really need now is a miracle mending on Rooney's metatarsals!
It's superb news Ivan. I have to say that I hadn't heretofore been much impressed by "Chocolate Orange" Cameron but it seems that the essential conservative message is getting through.
It's bad news about Galloway's party though - but no doubt it will soon exhibit some major league corruption (apart from, you know, having Galloway in charge) and be crushed
Ealing is a dramatic victory for us - I'm delighted we won there.
Regards, Ivan
Great news Ivan, do you know what happened in Enfield in the end? It was rumoured we lost control of the council but the Labour guy they interviewed on TV just before I went to bed said he did not believe that was true.
Yes the BBC were trying to play that one down early hours of this morning.
Another British freeper hello I do not think we have met before.
The BBC says it's a Conservative Hold.
Just as it should be.
Regards, Ivan
And Middlesborough to win the UEFA Cup and of course my beloved Arsenal to win the Champions League.
Thanks I thought they had got it wrong could not imagine we would loose Enfield.
My daughter (aged 10) is the one most footie mad in our family; plays for a local team, and big-time Arsenal fanatic. Splendid to see Arsenal Ladies take the cup last weekend; no one can touch them. We'll see how the men do!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.