I would like to congratulate all the Conservative candidates who were elected or re-elected in May’s local elections and offer my commiserations to those who were unsuccessful.
I would also like to thank those who stood down from their councils for their service to their communities and the Conservative Party.
I know how hard colleagues across the country worked, and I am disappointed that in so many cases that effort was not rewarded.
“The increased cost of living is the number one issue for the public at the moment”
While the results overall were disappointing, there were some bright spots, including: gaining control of Harrow Council; winning the inaugural mayoral election in Croydon and the new North Yorkshire unitary; and making net gains in Amber Valley, Barnsley, Basildon, Bolton, Brent, Cannock Chase, Croydon, Enfield, Halton, Harlow, Hartlepool, Hounslow, Hyndburn, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Sandwell, Slough, Sutton, Tameside, Thurrock and Wirral.
Despite the losses that we suffered, we remain the largest party in local government and the largest group at the LGA, meaning that we will retain the LGA chairmanship for the next year – a remarkable achievement given that we have been in power nationally for 12 years.
These elections have shown that the increased cost of living – which is overwhelmingly due to international factors – is the number one issue for the public at the moment.
In the coming months, I know that Conservative councils and councillors, acting alongside our colleagues in government, will be doing all that we can to support our residents through these difficult and challenging times.