Wokingham Borough Conservatives have kept their majority on the Council, while increasing their vote share, following the local elections on 6th May 2021.
Despite Liberal Democrats claims that the Council could go to No Overall Control, the number of Conservative councillors remained the same.
The outcome occurred in the context of the continued restrictions of the Coronavirus pandemic, which limited the ability for candidates and councillors to knock on doors and speak to local residents.
The Conservative Group has 31 seats on the Council – no change on the result from 2019 – creating a majority of eight councillors.
The impressive results saw former Borough councillors Shahid Younis and Norman Jorgensen return to the Council, with Shahid defeating Labour Group leader Andy Croy.
Other notable victories saw the Conservatives recover Finchampstead South, held by the Liberal Democrats, and Loddon, held by an Independent, as well as winning Shinfield South, a ward which elected an Independent in 2019.
John Halsall, Leader of the Council and the Conservative Group, said:
“This result is fantastic, and is a credit to our excellent councillors, candidates and supporters who have had to campaign in incredibly difficult circumstances.
“I believe that our residents recognise how we handled the pandemic, in the support that we’ve been providing to residents and local businesses.
“I think they also responded positively to our actions as the first council in the country to stop hospital discharges straight into care homes, which spread the virus – something even Opposition parties have acknowledged.
“It is disappointing to anyone who loses in an election, and they have my commiserations.
“My former colleague UllaKarin Clark, who just missed out on holding her seat, deserves thanks for her service to the Council and the Borough, along with former Labour leader Andy Croy – despite our political differences, he has been a good councillor and a credit to his voters.
“Opposition parties went into this election saying that the electorate would push us out of power – instead, they put their faith in our plan for rebuilding the Borough for a post-COVID world, investing in our communities, and delivering on our residents’ needs.
“On behalf of the Conservative Group, I thank you for your trust, and say that we won’t let you down.”
The Conservatives won the following seats in Wokingham Constituency:
Hillside Pauline Jorgensen HOLD
Maiden Erleigh Norman Jorgensen HOLD
(previously Ken Miall, who stepped down at the election)
Norreys Phil Cunnington HOLD
(previously Malcolm Richards, who stepped down at the election)
Shinfield South Jackie Rance HOLD
(previously Charlotte Haitham Taylor, who stepped down at the election)
