Peterborough City Council 2023: Wayne Fitzgerald retains his seat

Lib Dem councillor Christopher Wiggin retained his Hampton Vale seat on Peterborough City Council – the first result to be declared.

Council leader Wayne Fitzgerald (Con) retained his seat.

He polled 549 votes with Rhys Evan (Con) with Abdul Mannan (Lab) third with 213 votes. Turnout was 22.99 per cent.

Eyes remain focused on Peterborough not just to see the fate of the ruling Conservative group and that of leader Wayne Fitzgerald, but that also of MP Paul Bristow as he prepares for a general election in 2024.

Local election count and results,
Town Hall, Peterborough
Thursday 04 May 2023.
Picture by Terry Harris.

Cllr Fitzgerald is never far from controversy and even yesterday, as voters headed for the polling booths, he was attracting social media comment over a call for electric buses for the city.

Local election count and results,
Town Hall, Peterborough
Thursday 04 May 2023.
Picture by Terry Harris.

Not that most think this isn’t a good idea but for a brief period many thought he was breaching electoral law by involving council officers in his pronouncements.

He didn’t, of course, break any electoral rules but such is the hostility towards him among political opponents, his every move, tweet or Facebook comment attracts widespread interest.

Tonight, though, he retained his West Ward seat on the council that embraces Longthorpe- and South Bretton. (Full result at foot of this article)

Remaining results are expected shortly. Many results now declared

Local election count and results,
Town Hall, Peterborough
Thursday 04 May 2023.
Picture by Terry Harris.

He won here, decisively, four years ago – his winning total of votes more than the combined total of four rivals.

Local election count and results,
Town Hall, Peterborough
Thursday 04 May 2023.
Picture by Terry Harris.

But times change, Peterborough changes, and the Conservatives have suffered in national polls and that could cause difficulties not only for Cllr Fitzgerald but the wider ambition of Conservative hopefuls.

Local election count and results,
Town Hall, Peterborough
Thursday 04 May 2023.
Picture by Terry Harris.

Local election count and results,
Town Hall, Peterborough
Thursday 04 May 2023.
Picture by Terry Harris.

The city council is made up of 60 seats of which 21 are up for election tonight.

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Conservatives have run a, technically, minority administration having only 28 of the 31 seats until now for overall control.

More results are expected to come in shortly.

A few minutes ago it was confirmed Cllr Wayne Fitzgerald had retained his seat.