West Lancashire District Council election, 2004

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The 2004 West Lancashire District Council election took place on 10 June 2004 to elect members of West Lancashire District Council in Lancashire, England. One third of the council was up for election and the Conservative party stayed in overall control of the council. [1]

West Lancashire Borough in England

West Lancashire is a non-metropolitan district with the status of a borough in Lancashire, England. Its council is based in Ormskirk. The other town in the borough is Skelmersdale. The population of the District taken at the 2011 census was 110,685. The district was formed in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, as a merger of Ormskirk and Skelmersdale and Holland urban districts along with part of West Lancashire Rural District and part of the former Wigan Rural District.

Lancashire County of England

Lancashire is a ceremonial county in North West England. The administrative centre is Preston. The county has a population of 1,449,300 and an area of 1,189 square miles (3,080 km2). People from Lancashire are known as Lancastrians.

England Country in north-west Europe, part of the United Kingdom

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to the west and Scotland to the north-northwest. The Irish Sea lies west of England and the Celtic Sea lies to the southwest. England is separated from continental Europe by the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south. The country covers five-eighths of the island of Great Britain, which lies in the North Atlantic, and includes over 100 smaller islands, such as the Isles of Scilly and the Isle of Wight.

Contents

After the election, the composition of the council was:

PartySeats  ±  
Conservative 29+1
Labour 25-1

[2]

Campaign

Before the election the Conservatives held 28 seats compared to 26 for Labour. [3] 18 seats were contested in the election, with 9 seats being defended by each of the 2 parties. [3] As well as candidates from the Conservative and Labour parties, there were also 7 independents, 4 Greens, 1 Liberal Democrat and 1 from the new Ormskirk party. [4] Both the Liberal Democrat and Ormskirk party candidates were standing in Derby ward, which was seen as being one of the critical contests in the election. [4]

The Labour Party is a centre-left political party in the United Kingdom that has been described as an alliance of social democrats, democratic socialists and trade unionists. The party's platform emphasises greater state intervention, social justice and strengthening workers' rights.

Green Party of England and Wales Political party in England and Wales

The Green Party of England and Wales is a green, left-wing political party in England and Wales. Headquartered in London, since September 2018, its co-leaders are Siân Berry and Jonathan Bartley. The Green Party has one representative in the House of Commons, one in the House of Lords, and three in the European Parliament. In addition, it has various councillors in UK local government and two members of the London Assembly.

Liberal Democrats (UK) Political party in the United Kingdom

The Liberal Democrats are a liberal political party in the United Kingdom. It is currently led by Vince Cable. They have 11 Members of Parliament in the House of Commons, 96 members of the House of Lords, one member of the European Parliament, five Members of the Scottish Parliament and one member in the Welsh Assembly and London Assembly. At the height of its influence, the party formed a coalition government with the Conservative Party from 2010 to 2015 with its leader Nick Clegg serving as Deputy Prime Minister.

A major issue in the election was privatisation, which the Conservatives supported saying it would improve efficiency, however Labour criticised the Conservatives plans saying investment should be kept in the area. [3] The Conservatives called on voters to back their moves to establish litter free zones, create secure leisure facilities for young people and refurbish parks. [4] However Labour attacked plans to sell council housing and the handing of a local park to a private developer. [4] Other issues included crime, anti-social behaviour, CCTV and plans to move the accident and emergency department of Ormskirk hospital to Southport hospital. [5]

Anti-social behaviours are actions that harm or lack consideration for the well-being of others. It has also been defined as any type of conduct that violates the basic rights of another person and any behaviour that is considered to be disruptive to others in society. This can be carried out in various ways, which includes but is not limited to intentional aggression, as well as covert and overt hostility. Anti-social behaviour also develops through social interaction within the family and community. It continuously affects a child's temperament, cognitive ability and their involvement with negative peers, dramatically affecting children's problem solving skills. Many people also label behaviour which is deemed contrary to prevailing norms for social conduct as anti-social behaviour. However, researchers have stated that it is a difficult term to define, particularly in the United Kingdom where there are an infinite number of acts that fall into its category. The term is especially used in British English.

Closed-circuit television Use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place on a limited set of monitors

Closed-circuit television (CCTV), also known as video surveillance, is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors. It differs from broadcast television in that the signal is not openly transmitted, though it may employ point to point (P2P), point to multipoint (P2MP), or mesh wired or wireless links. Though almost all video cameras fit this definition, the term is most often applied to those used for surveillance in areas that may need monitoring such as banks, stores, and other areas where security is needed. Though Videotelephony is seldom called 'CCTV' one exception is the use of video in distance education, where it is an important tool.

Ormskirk market town in West Lancashire, England

Ormskirk is a market town in West Lancashire, England, 13 miles (21 km) north of Liverpool, 11 miles (18 km) northwest of St Helens, 9 miles (14 km) southeast of Southport and 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Preston. Ormskirk is known for its gingerbread.

Election result

The results saw the Conservatives hold on to control of the council after making 1 gain from Labour. [6] This meant the Conservatives held 29 seats compared to 25 for Labour and the election was described as a "vindication of Conservative policies running West Lancs" by the Conservative leader of the council, Geoff Roberts. [6] Meanwhile, Labour's group leader on the council, Alan Bullen, only narrowly held his own seat on the council in Skelmersdale North. [6] Overall turnout in the election was up by 14% at 42.47%. [6]

Skelmersdale town in West Lancashire, England

Skelmersdale is a town in West Lancashire, England, on the River Tawd, 6 miles (10 km) west of Wigan, 13 miles (21 km) northeast of Liverpool and 15 miles (24 km)southwest of Preston. In 2006, it had a population of 38,813. The town is known locally as Skem.

Voter turnout percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election

Voter turnout is the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election. Eligibility varies by country, and the voting-eligible population should not be confused with the total adult population. Age and citizenship status are often among the criteria used to determine eligibility, but some countries further restrict eligibility based on sex, race, or religion.

West Lancashire Local Election Result 2004 [7] [8]
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  Conservative 1010+155.647.413,309+1.3%
  Labour 801-144.436.910,346-3.0%
  Independent 0000010.62,979-0.5%
  Green 000003.3937+0.4%
 Ormskirk Party000001.1298+1.1%
  Liberal Democrat 000000.7190+0.7%

Ward results

Ashurst

Ashurst [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Labour Donna Duffy91157.4+4.3
Independent Patrick McElhinney34721.9-7.6
Conservative David Meadows33020.8+3.4
Majority56435.5+11.9
Turnout 1,58833.4+14.7
Labour hold Swing

Aughton and Downholland

Aughton and Downholland [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Una Atherley1,72577.4+16.7
Labour David McKay50322.6-16.7
Majority1,22254.8+33.4
Turnout 2,22849.4+15.4
Conservative hold Swing

Birch Green

Birch Green [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Labour Mary Pendleton67681.0'-3.6
Conservative Susan Cropper15919.0+3.6
Majority51762.0-7.2
Turnout 83527.8+14.9
Labour hold Swing

Burscough

Burscough East [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Florence Westley90060.6
Labour Anne Carter58439.4
Majority31621.2
Turnout 1,48449.7
Conservative hold Swing

Burscough West

Burscough West [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Labour Cynthia Dereli83252.2
Conservative Graham Jones76347.8
Majority694.4
Turnout 1,59541.6
Labour hold Swing

Derby

Derby [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Adrian Owens98745.5-2.0
Labour Alan Williams55025.3-16.3
Ormskirk PartyMargaret Heslegrave29813.7+13.7
Liberal Democrat Julian Reid1908.8+8.8
Green Anne Doyle1466.7-4.1
Majority43720.2+14.3
Turnout 2,17147.0+18.8
Conservative hold Swing

Digmoor

Digmoor [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Labour Terence Aldridge71072.9-2.6
Independent Alan Spears14715.1+0.9
Conservative Irene O'Donnell11712.0+1.7
Majority56357.8-3.5
Turnout 97431.0+14.6
Labour hold Swing

Halsall

Halsall [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Doreen Stephenson45955.4-18.4
Independent Raymond Brookfield37044.6+44.6
Majority8910.8-36.8
Turnout 82947.0
Conservative hold Swing

Hesketh-with-Becconsall

Hesketh-with-Becconsall [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Martin Forshaw82063.8
Independent Nadine Ashcroft46636.2
Majority35427.6
Turnout 1,28642.8
Conservative hold Swing

Knowsley

Knowsley [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Peter Lea1,36061.4+4.8
Labour Francis Williams65229.4-2.8
Green John Watt2049.2-2.0
Majority70832.0+7.6
Turnout 2,21649.2+20.8
Conservative hold Swing

Moorside

Moorside [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Labour Stephen Hanlon66482.3
Conservative Malcolm Barron14317.7
Majority52164.6
Turnout 80729.2
Labour hold Swing

Rufford

Rufford [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Joan Colling60977.7+2.4
Labour Shan Annis17522.3-2.4
Majority43455.4+4.8
Turnout 78447.3
Conservative hold Swing

Scott

Scott [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Cyril Ainscough1,04448.1+10.4
Labour Noel Delaney82037.8-0.5
Green Maurice George30514.1+4.6
Majority22410.3
Turnout 2,16947.0+14.5
Conservative gain from Labour Swing

Skelmersdale North

Skelmersdale North [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Labour Alan Bullen53145.7-15.4
Independent Joan Morrison47340.7+14.2
Conservative Joan Witter15713.5+1.0
Majority585.0-29.6
Turnout 1,16137.4+13.9
Labour hold Swing

Skelmersdale South

Skelmersdale South [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Labour Sydney Jones1,07763.6-10.2
Conservative Richard Shepherd33419.7+5.5
Green Martin Lowe28216.7+4.7
Majority74343.9-15.7
Turnout 1,69333.9+15.3
Labour hold Swing

Tarleton

Tarleton [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative John Mee1,43163.9+4.6
Independent John Hodson81036.1-4.6
Majority62127.8+9.2
Turnout 2,24150.5+13.5
Conservative hold Swing

Up Holland

Up Holland [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Labour Margaret Skilling1,06648.0-7.2
Conservative Ruth Pollock78735.5-9.3
Independent Karen Horrocks36616.5+16.5
Majority27912.5+2.1
Turnout 2,21945.2+14.9
Labour hold Swing

Wrightington

Wrightington [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Peter Gartside1,18466.6+17.4
Labour Pauline Bailey59533.4-17.4
Majority58933.2
Turnout 1,77952.7+15.5
Conservative hold Swing

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References

  1. ↑ "West Lancashire council". BBC News Online . Retrieved 2009-12-18.
  2. ↑ "Elections 2004: Election results". The Independent. 2004-06-11. p. 4.
  3. 1 2 3 "Elections 2004: West Lancs". Liverpool Daily Post. 2004-05-13. p. 15.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Labour battles to seize back West Lancs from Tories". Liverpool Daily Post. 2004-05-28. p. 17.
  5. ↑ Murton, Nick (2004-05-25). "Vote 2004: Vital Issues for families; Nick Murton canvasses opinion from people in West Lancashire and Halton in the days leading up to the local elections". Liverpool Echo. p. 10.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Vote 2004: West Lancs". Liverpool Echo. 2004-06-11. p. 11.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 "Election results - 10 Jun 2004". Political Science Resources. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  8. ↑ "Ballot box". The Times. 2004-06-12. p. 26.
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