Shock as Labour comes close to losing in heartland

After a long and tense night, which saw three recounts in the key Annfield Plain seat, Labour was left with a majority of just three seats on a council it has held for more than 30 years.

The party - which only five years ago held a majority of more than 40 - ended the night with 29 councillors, ahead of the Derwentside Independents on 22 and the Liberal Democrats and the Independents each on two.

Labour came within a handful of votes of losing control of the council altogether, holding Annfield Plain by just four votes and Leadgate by 14 votes.

Council leader Alex Watson blamed the party's heavy losses on national politics.

Councillor Watson said: "This was the toughest fight that Labour-controlled Derwentside has ever had to face.

"You have the protest vote over the war in Iraq and this was picked up by the Independents in their election leaflets.

"But there will be no change in direction at Derwentside.

"We have always worked well with minority parties and our record stands up with other authorities."

Councillor Watts Stelling, leader of Derwentside Independents, said he was pleased with the result, but felt it unfortunate they were not able to snatch power from Labour.

Coun Stelling said: "There is disillusionment with the major parties both locally and nationally, and we have got people who are very active and well-known in their communities.

"Our plan now is to continue to hold the controlling party to account."

After the count, at the Belle Vue Leisure Centre, in Consett, North Durham MP Kevan Jones said: "There has been a wipeout in Consett and this is because the council is arrogantly out of touch with the electorate.

"It has got nothing to do with the Iraq war, it is because of the decisions that have been taken locally."

Andrew Spence, one of the high-profile leaders of the 2000 fuel protest, received 190 votes as a BNP candidate in Leadgate.

Voter turnout was 33 per cent.