'We are bucking the national trend' - Rugby Labour leader thanks Benn Ward residents as she holds her seat

Rugby Labour leader Maggie O'Rourke has thanked residents following the news that she has held her seat for the Benn ward in the Rugby borough elections.

Cllr O'Rourke said the news follows a pattern seen in yesterday's county council elections - where Labour lost seats across the county but all Labour seats in the Rugby area were held.

Yesterday's Warwickshire County Council results saw the Conservatives increase their number of seats by six, while Labour lost four seats.

And in Leamington Brunswick county council Labour group leader Helen Adkins lost her seat to the Green Party's Will Roberts.

And her deputy Dave Parsons also lost his Polesworth seat.

She said: "I'm delighted that the people that live in the Benn Ward have given me their support.

"I'm really thankful for it, particularly given the national trend.

"We have done ok, especially considering what's been happening across the country and in Nuneaton and North Warwickshire."

"It's really important that we keep in contact with all of our communities and continue to learn what is important for them."

Cllr O'Rourke added that the Newbold and Brownsover seat is causing concern for Labour.

She said: "We are worried about Newbold and Brownsover, it's usually very close and given the national trend we may lose it.

"A lot of the success of the Conservatives is because of the 'Boris bounce'. This government is making a lot of promises to disadvantaged communities and they must be held to account.

"In the Benn Ward we have seen higher rates of poverty, higher infection rates for coronavirus and lower vaccine uptake.

"A lot of this is because of government cuts to public services.

"I understand people's frustration, and we must all listen to our communities."