JWhittle

Published at 01:00, Friday, 11 June 2004

By Julian Whittle

LABOUR made gains in Cumbria in yesterday’s council elections, bucking the national trend.

It won three seats from the Conservatives in Carlisle, to take over as the largest single party there, although the council remains hung.

The Liberal Democrats also did well in Carlisle, taking one seat each from Labour and the Conservatives.

Labour won three seats in Barrow, while the Conservatives made two gains in South Lakeland.

Turnout in Cumbria was up by a third thanks to the all-postal voting system, which was piloted in the North West at these elections.

Electors have also chosen nine North West MEPs, although these votes will not be counted until Sunday when other European Union countries have voted. There were no council elections in Allerdale, Copeland or Eden districts this year, or for Cumbria County Council.

Nationally, it was a miserable night for Labour which lost hundreds of seats and finished third in the polls behind the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.

Results of the Copeland council by-election for Whitehaven Harbour ward will not be released until lunchtime.

The seat was vacated by Labour councillor Paul Whalley earlier this year, after it was discovered that his authority-owned computer was used to access pornography.

Postal votes received yesterday are still being counted by Copeland staff.

n Full local elections roundup from across the country – page 8

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk