Conservatives retain control of council by narrow majority as Labour makes gains (From Croydon Guardian)

Conservatives retain control of council by narrow majority as Labour makes gains

5:50pm Friday 7th May 2010 in Local Elections 2010 By Kirsty Whalley

The Conservative Party retained control of Croydon council but their majority was eaten away by major Labour gains in the north and the centre of the borough.

The party won by the narrow majority of just 37 seats to 33.

Labour group leader Tony Newman was thrilled with the result and the fact Croydon had bucked the national trend with Labour gains locally, but said the election had been tarnished by problems with voting in Waddon.

Across the country hundreds were denied the right to vote as polling stations were unable to cope with demand.

Mr Newman said his party members had gone into polling stations to beg potential voters be allowed to exercise their democratic right, but hundreds look like they have missed out this year.

Barrow Road polling station in the potentially key Waddon ward has reported particularly long queues.

He said: "We are pleased with our substantial gains for the Labour party in Croydon in what has been a difficult national election.

"We have huge concerns around people who were turned away from a polling station in Waddon."

Mr Newman said they would be asking the electoral commission to investigate the alleged incidents.

Council Leader Mike Fisher said he was thrilled his party had retained control of the council.

He said: "We always knew that with having a national election on the same day it would be a tough ask for us.

"I am disappointed we have lost some excellent councillors, but they will soon be back.

"We have a mandate for the next four years to continue the work we have been doing for the past five years."

Mr Fisher and Mr Newman shook hands amicably at the end of the results announcements.