Stockport Labour Group won the popular vote and is now the biggest political party on Stockport Council following the local elections held on Thursday 5th May.

Lib Dem Council Leader Sue Derbyshire dramatically lost her Manor seat to Labour’s Charlie Stewart by 437 votes.

Whilst Stockport remains under no overall control, the Liberal Democrats are now not the largest party for the first time in a generation and look set to lose the Council Executive for the first time since the system was introduced back in 1998.

Labour Group Leader Councillor Alex Ganotis said ‘As somebody born and bred in Stockport it will be a great honour to lead a Labour-led administration for our borough. I will never forget that Councillors exist to serve local people irrespective of how they voted on 5th May.

‘Labour is now the biggest party on Stockport Council and won the most votes at this election.

‘Local people will rightly expect us to be given the first opportunity to form an administration, and I am committed to ensuring that a Labour Council will work for every local resident.

‘I recognise that Labour does not have an overall majority on the Council and I am committed to working with Councillors from across the political spectrum in the best interests of everybody in the borough.

‘Residents expect nothing less from their elected representatives.’

Stockport Labour Group now has 23 Councillors and held 7 wards as well as gaining a seat in Manor ward. Stockport Council has a total of 63 elected Councillors.

Councillor Ganotis added ‘This result is testament to the positive vision which we’ve put to residents to take our borough forward through what will be very challenging times for Local Government.

‘We’ve a Government that is imposing significant cuts on Stockport and the next few years are going to be especially tough and require difficult decisions to be made. Labour will uphold our core values when we make these choices, putting fairness at the centre of everything we do and genuinely listening to residents.’