Labour laments 'very disappointing' night in Sunderland, while opposition parties celebrate victories

Senior figures in Wearside’s ruling political group were among the collateral damage as the opposition Liberal Democrats and Conservatives made big gains across the city.
Councillor Graeme Miller, the Labour leader of Sunderland City CouncilCouncillor Graeme Miller, the Labour leader of Sunderland City Council
Councillor Graeme Miller, the Labour leader of Sunderland City Council

But it was not enough to force Labour out of office, with the party’s leader in Sunderland blaming its hardships on the collapse of UKIP and a ‘vaccine bounce’.

“It was a very disappointing night, to lose nine councillors is never a pleasant experience,” said Graeme Miller, the leader of Sunderland City Council.

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“The UKIP vote across the city moved to the Conservatives at the same time they received a 10% bump in their vote because the public are happy with the vaccine rollout and we’ve lost councillors as a result.

Conservative opposition leader Antony MullenConservative opposition leader Antony Mullen
Conservative opposition leader Antony Mullen

“I was expecting to lose four or six seats, but there are wards in the city which are moving away from Labour.”

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The result leaves Labour with 42 councillors, six fewer than it had started the day with and just four more than the 38 needed for a majority in the council chamber.

The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats gained six and four representatives, respectively.

The first winner of the night was Lib Dem Ciaran Morrissey, who defeated Labour's Michael Mordey in HendonThe first winner of the night was Lib Dem Ciaran Morrissey, who defeated Labour's Michael Mordey in Hendon
The first winner of the night was Lib Dem Ciaran Morrissey, who defeated Labour's Michael Mordey in Hendon
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Despite a tough night, Labour could take solace from a strong showing in Washington, where they won all but one of the six seats up for grabs, and the Coalfield area.

But it was in the city itself that the party took the hardest hammering, losing a serving cabinet member in Barnes in Rebecca Atkinson, as well as a former deputy leader in Michael Mordey in Hendon.

A ballot box being cleansed as it is brought into the count, part of covid-secure measures.A ballot box being cleansed as it is brought into the count, part of covid-secure measures.
A ballot box being cleansed as it is brought into the count, part of covid-secure measures.

In contrast, Conservative opposition leader Antony Mullen, who only took over the role in 2020, hailed a ‘brilliant night’ for his own party, which included the capture of the Washington South seat vacated by the Green Party.

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However, the performance also fell short of his previous predictions of a coalition to oust the current Labour leadership.

He said “I set high aspirations to encourage voters to think it was within our grasp and encourage them to do something different.

“If this is replicated next year then the Labour Party will have no control over the council.”

Ballot boxes from around Sunderland are counted with social distance measures in place at Silksworth in SunderlandBallot boxes from around Sunderland are counted with social distance measures in place at Silksworth in Sunderland
Ballot boxes from around Sunderland are counted with social distance measures in place at Silksworth in Sunderland

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