Why no Labour?

Local government elections left the Labour Party with no seats on Rother District Council.

Sidley ward candidate and local branch secretary Philipa Coughlan described polling day as "not our finest hour".

She said: " We now have no seats on the local Council and I personally find it a time of tremendous frustration and disappointment.

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"We put up seven candidates across the area, trying of course to hold on to Sidley, and targeting our efforts where we thought we could make an impact."

In the newsletter to members of Bexhill and Battle constituency Labour Party, Philipa outlined candidates' efforts to win votes with disappointing results.

Maurice Watson stood in Central ward and turned in an "excellent" vote of 252.

"There has always been potential in that ward and working it steadily over the next few years may yet prove a success," said Philipa.

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Abdulla Khan achieved 114 votes in Sackville ward, Mark Sivyer picked up 135 votes in Old Town ward, John Heasman had 133 votes in St Marks ward, and in St Stephens ward Dominic Coughlan "did no better this time than at the last election".

Stephanie Webb and Philipa herself stood in Sidley ward and achieved 225 and 252 respectively which were "a poor return for the effort, but it was meant to be and we can all debate where the blame lies."

She said the result left the residents of Sidley with two Tory councillors as well as a Tory dominated Council.

"Neighbouring Hastings, thank goodness, re-elected two Labour representatives to stop the Tories controlling their Council after a year of incompetence - why oh why can't we see sense in Rother?"