Local elections 2021: Half of Worksop goes blue in devastating day for Labour

The Tories retained or gained six of the nine Bassetlaw seats up for grabs in the elections – most notably Labour strongholds Worksop North and Worksop South.

It means that half of the town has turned blue after Basstlaw District councillor Kevin Greaves and Labour group leader Alan Rhodes lost their seats.

Mr Rhodes tweeted: “Friends, just a short word to say that unfortunately I lost my Worksop North seat on Nottinghamshire County Council today.

“Thank you to friends, colleagues and officers of the Council for a very enjoyable 17 years.”

Mike Quigley, who has retained his seat in Retford West for the Conservatives, had some damning words for Labour.

He said: “I’m proud to represent the people of Retford West as I have done over the last few years and help as many people as I can.

"It’s encouraging that people have seen through Labour’s scare tactics about Bassetlaw Hospital being at risk, which is entirely not true, and the Labour leader losing his seat was another added bonus.

"Worksop South was a Conservative seat for many years so we are pleased to see it back in the fold.”

Conservatives seize all three seats up for grabs in Bassetlaw District Council by-election

Sheila Place, who retained her Blyth and Harworth seat for Labour, says she thinks Brexit is to blame for Labour’s devastating losses in Bassetlaw today.

“People knew our stance on remaining the EU,” she said, “and I think a lot of that is reflected in the results.

"The Conservatives have promised to drive us out and that’s what they’re doing. Soon we might end up being the minority party.

"It’s unheard of and things are going to become very unsettled. But I’ll continue to serve residents as I’ve always done. I’ve been doing this for 24 years now.

"I want to and enjoy helping people and that’s what keeps me going.”

Glynn Gilfoyle, who retained his Worksop East seat, said: “I am so proud to represent Worksop East and would like to thank everyone for their continued support.

"I will continue working as I do for the electorate.”

Coun Gilfoyle says his priorities will be tackling concerns surrounding road repairs, crime in the area particularly drug use, and escalating costs that threaten quality social and child care for residents.

The Conservatives won enough seats to form the majority party in Nottinghamshire County Council.

The party secured more than the 34 seats needed to win the vote and become the majority party at County Hall.

WORKSOP EAST- LABOUR HOLD

Independent: Sonia Armstrong - 140 votes

Liberal Democrats: Leon Duveen - 93 votes

Conservative: Matthew Evans - 887 votes

Labour: Glynn Gilfoyle - 1,394 votes

Voter turnout: 26.27%

REFORD WEST- CONSERVATIVE HOLD

Labour: James Napier - 1,255 votes

Conservative: Mike Quigley - 1,500 votes

Liberal Democrats: Helen Tamblyn-Saville - 456 votes

Reform UK: Jon Wade - 92 votes

Voter turnout: 34.51%

BLYTH AND HARWORTH – LABOUR HOLD

Liberal Democrats: Dan Bassford - 53 votes

Labour: Sheila Place - 1,333 votes

Independent: Drew Smith - 349 votes

Conservative: Ben Storey - 1,094 votes

Voter turnout: 28.63%

TUXFORD – CONSERVATIVE HOLD

Liberal Democrats: James Nixon - 194 votes

Conservative: John Ogle - 2,335 votes

Labour: Lynne Schuller - 667 votes

Green Party: Lee Sinclair - 312 votes

Voter turnout: 39.28%

WORKSOP SOUTH- CONSERVATIVE GAIN

Labour: Kevin Greaves - 1,438 votes

Independent: Roger Stocks - 261 votes

Conservative: Nigel Turner 1,708 votes

Voter turnout: 34.87%

WORKSOP WEST – LABOUR HOLD

Labour: Sybil Fielding - 1,608 votes

Liberal Democrats: Philip Smith - 143 votes

Conservative: Lloyd Widdup - 1,370 votes

Voter turnout: 29.55%

MISTERTON – CONSERVATIVE HOLD

Labour: Jack Bowker - 878 votes

Liberal Democrats: Paul Dobbie - 278 votes

Conservative: Tracey Taylor - 2,835 votes

Voter turnout: 38.37%

RETFORD WEST - CONSERVATIVE HOLD

Liberal Democrats: Jennifer Coggles - 117 votes

Reform UK: Martin Introna - 114 votes

Conservative: Mike Introna - 1,624

Labour: Helen Richards - 1,412

Voter turnout: 35.47%

WORKSOP NORTH – CONSERVATIVE GAIN

Conservative: Callum Bailey - 1,711 votes

Labour: Alan Rhodes - 1,557 votes

Liberal Democrats: Simon Russell - 80 votes

Reform UK: Paul Scopeletti - 90 votes

Voter turnout: 35.13%