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28 October 2014
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Election provides shocks and surprises

Election 2003
There were many surprises around the area at the 2003 local elections
Something funny may have happened on the way to the forum as election day conspired to produce a string of very unexpected results.

Election 2003- in depth
West Midlands Election Round-up
Election 2002 - in depth

Coventy City Council
North Warwickshire Borough Council
Rugby Borough Council
Stratford District Council
Warwick District Council

Coventry City Council:
No Overall Control
(Labour lose control)

North Warwickshire Borough Council:
No Overall Control
(Labour lose control)

Rugby Borough Council:
No Overall Control
(No change)

Stratford District Council:
Conservative Gain
(Previously under no overall control)

Warwick District Council:
No Overall Control
(No change)

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The public who made their way to the forum on election day conspired to produce a string of results around the whole area that were unexpected to say the least.

Perhaps the most startling was Labour losing its majority in its traditional stronghold of Coventry for the first time since 1978 and losing out to the Conservatives in North Warwickshire, which is now under no overall control.

However, there was plenty of controversy and upset elsewhere. The Tories in Stratford took control after years of a council with no overall control - but it was in Rugby where rumblings will remain after a recount was demanded after a result was declared - and the count declared a new winner!


Shocks in Coventry
Coventry Council House
Labour lost control of Coventry City Council
Coventry provided the biggest shocks on the night as Labour, thought to be a sure-fire tip, were left reeling by Conservative gains.

Labour now has 26 seats after losing five to the Tories, who now hold 23. The Socialist Alliance have three of the remaining seats and the Lib Dems two.

One of the biggest casualties on the night came in the shape of Peter Lacey, who was due to become the new mayor this month.

Labour may now require the assistance of the Socialist members more than ever, but they and the Lib Dems have already stated they will not enter into a coalition.

However, Socialist Cllr Dave Nellist, said his party may be willing to help if the Labour group's attitude was correct.


Labour lose in the north
In North Warwickshire, Labour relinquished control for the first time in 27 years. Labour now have a majority of just one over the Conservatives, holding 16 seats to their 15, when previously they had 22 seats to the Tories' 12. The Lib Dems have the remaining four.

All parties will be in conference over the coming days to decide how North Warwickshire Borough Council will be run in the future.


Controversy in Rugby
In Rugby, controversy still surrounds the result from Admirals Ward, where the returning officer allowed a re-count, even though the results had legally been declared - an unprecedented action.

The evening seemed to be panning out as expected, with no seats changing hands, until it was announced the Conservatives took Admirals from Labour's cabinet member for community leadership, Kathleen Hayter.

Cllr Hayter demanded a recount, even though the declaration had been made, claiming votes for her had been passed to the other parties.

When the new count was complete, returning officer Dianne Colley told the crowd at the Benn Hall a clerical error had occurred and Cllr Hayter was declared to have a majority of 47 - despite protests from other parties about the lawfulness of the second count.


Stratford goes high-tech
Elizabeth House, Stratford
Tories gained control at Stratford
Stratford District Council continued its zoom up the information super-highway by adding Internet voting to electronic voting to its list of election firsts.

Though the turnout looks to have been relatively low this time out - around 36-61% of voters used their poll card - the council beat its target of 3,000 web voters by attracting 3,149 electronic pollers.

The Conservatives, meanwhile, pulled away from the Liberal Democrats after years of the council having no overall control. However, the Conservatives have a majority of just five seats, holding 27 to the Liberal Democrats' 22.


Small shift in Warwick
Warwick District Council remains under no overall control, though there were some shifts towards the Conservative Party, which is now the largest on the council.

The Tories now hold 16 seats, eight short of a majority, after gains including two in the Kenilworth wards. The Labour group has 14 seats and the Liberal Democrats 10.

Talks will now begin to see if a coalition can be formed to bring overall control to the council - and an announcement could be made as early as next week.

For a full list of results from local wards, click on the link to BBC News Online's in-depth election coverage


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