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Bill Jacobs

@billjacobslt

Lancashire Telegraph politics reporter, email [email protected] or 01254 298271

ID: 607960042

linkhttps://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/ calendar_today14-06-2012 08:36:14

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Oswaldtwistle division sees veteran Tory Peter Britcliffe lose his division by just eight votes after a recount. The result was: Peter Britcliffe (Con) 1,467 Gaynor Hargreaves (Reform) 1,475 Nancy Mills (Green) 157 Caitlin Pritchard (Lab) 406

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Oswaldtwistle winner Gaynor Hargreaves said: "I am here for Reform. I won it for Reform. "And reform is what I hope to achieve."

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Just the two councillor division of Great Harwood, Rishton and Clayton-le-Moors left to go here at Accrington town hall. The senior Labour and Conservative figures up for election must be very worried after the previous results in Hyndburn.

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The candidates are: Noordad Aziz (Lab), Wayne Fitzharris (Green), Jordan Fox (Reform), Carole Haythornthwaite (Con), Andy Hunter-Rossall (Green), Zak Khan (Con), Lance Parkinson (Reform), Kate Walsh (Lab).

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Defeated Accrington South candidate and former Labour MP for Hyndburn Graham Jones said: "Congratulations to all the successful candidates. "I am too old to be disappointed. "I understand the political realities."

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He added: ""The issue that came up on the doorstep was consistently the Prime Minister. "People were coming to the polling stations not to protest but to send a message to both major parties regarding their leadership."

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Hyndburn Labour MP Sarah Smith said: "Clearly not the results we were hoping for. "It's not been the best day. "The question for Reform now is that they will be held accountable for cracking on and doing the job."

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Reform UK are doing well all over the county and look on the verge of taking control of the giant authority - the are six councillors short of an overall majority

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Ribble Valley South West - Divisional result Reform UK Win - Steve Atkinson was newly elected with a majority of 1,032. A total of 4610 votes were cast, representing a turnout of 40.25%.

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It's now just four more Reform councillors to take control of LCC. With 43 seats needed for an a majority the state of the parties is: Reform UK - 39. Conservatives - 7. Independents - 7. Labour - 5.Liberal Democrats - 4. Our West Lancashire - 2.Green - 1.

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Nationally Reform have gained 393 councillors. The Conservatives have lost 342 and Labour 107. The LibDems are up 60 and the Greens up 18. There are 21 less Independent councillors

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LCC statement on the election results: The party has won more than the 43 seats it needs to form a majority. Counting is continuing in seats across the county.

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Returning Officer Mark Wynn said: "I would like to say thank-you to everyone who helped to make sure the election process ran smoothly in the county. "A lot of hard work went on behind the scenes to ensure people were aware that the elections were taking place."

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Former Hyndburn Council Labour and Independent leader Miles Parkinson - not a Reform UK strategist - said: "What and exciting day. "It has sent a big shock across Lancashire. "It is the biggest political change we have seen in the county for 100 years."

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Noordad Aziz said: "It is disappointing but there were clearly outside factors at play as well. "I will continue to serve the people of Great Harwood in my district seat."

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The political earthquake that saw Reform UK seize control of Lancashire County Council was reflected in the five Hyndburn divisions - one elected two councillors. Reform saw five candidates elected and the Green Party one.

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Big political figures fell at the election hurdle including Hyndburn borough leader Munsif Dad and his deputy Noordad Aziz. Also defeated was Tory group leader on the borough council Zak Khan.

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And for two veteran politicians - former Labour leader Graham Jones and ex-borough council leader Peter Britcliffe - todays results may have ended their careers. Former Labour and Independent borough council leader Miles Parkinson saw his son Lance elected for Reform .

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How the parties stand now: Reform 53; Conservatives 8; Independent 7; Labour 5; LibDem 5; Greens 4; Our West Lancashire 2.