The reaction to Labour’s historic win over the Conservatives in Westminster has continued throughout the day.
Labour reached a total of 31 elected councillors with the Conservatives only reaching 23 out of 54 available seats with a turn-out of 31.5% across the borough.
Paul Dimoldenberg has been a councillor for 33 years and can’t believe the result.
He said: “I’m shell shocked, it’s an unbelievable result. It took a lot of hard work and good luck.
“No doubt the majority of conservatives stayed at home because of the disgrace of partygate and the actions of Boris Johnson. That helped us win.
“The [Marble Arch] mound for many people was the last straw – £6 million wasted on something when there’s rubbish on the streets.”
He also attributes the victory to the efforts of many Labour activists over the years who never gave up in their fight against the Conservative Party.
Dianne Abbott conveyed similar feelings, saying she is thrilled at her Party’s win in Westminster having been a councillor for Harrow Road over 30 years ago.
Perhaps quite shockingly, former Tory Westminster City councillor Glenys Roberts urged people to vote for Labour, voicing her lack of confidence in the party she represented for two decades.
Claiming victory in the borough which has been under Tory control since its creation in 1964 means a lot to the local councillors, and it’s clear to see through their reactions.
With an average turnout of 31.51% between the 19 wards in Westminster, which is lower than in past elections, it’s likely the reduced levels of voting caused this historic victory for the Labour Party.
