LABOUR have stormed to victory in Copeland, taking 10 of the 12 available seats on the new Cumberland Council.

The remaining two seats were taken by the Conservatives, in an historic election battle for the new unitary authority.

Labour will be the largest party for Copeland on Cumberland Council, which will govern from April 1, 2023, when Cumbria’s county council and six district councils will be abolished.

The elected councillors for Copeland are:

  • Bransty – Joseph Ghayouba, Labour
  • Cleator Moor East and Frizington – Linda Jones-Bulman, Labour
  • Cleator Moor West – Michael Eldon, Labour
  • Egremont – Sam Pollen, Labour
  • Egremont North and St Bees – Graham Minshaw, Labour
  • Gosforth – David Moore, Conservative
  • Hillcrest and Hensingham – Jeanette Forster, Labour
  • Howgate – Gillian Troughton, Labour
  • Kells and Sandwith – Emma Williamson, Labour
  • Millom – Bob Kelly, Labour
  • Millom Without – Andy Pratt, Conservative
  • Mirehouse – Mike Hawkins, Labour

Turnout for Copeland was 35.56 per cent.

Gosforth had the highest turnout with 43.64 per cent. Kells had the lowest turnout with 29.07 per cent.

Conservative David Moore won Gosforth by only 73 votes to Labour’s James Dickaty – the closest run ever for the Conservative safe seat.

Whitehaven News: In his victory speech, Cllr Moore said: “That’s the closest I have ever run on that ward. I’m really delighted with the turnout. It’s been very close. We have got some listening to do.”

FROM CARLISLE COUNT: Cumberland Conservatives suffer a rout in historic 2022 elections

Among the big victories for Labour were Emma Williamson, who won Kells with 1,046 votes to Conservative Arthur Lamb, who got 302 votes, and Joseph Ghayouba, who took the Bransty seat, with 1,043 votes to Conservative Charles Maudling’s 461 votes.Whitehaven News:

Speaking to The Whitehaven News after her victory, Cllr Williamson said: "I want to thank everybody who came out to vote. For those who didn't vote for me, it doesn't matter. I will continue to work as hard as I have done for the last five years."

BLOG: How the night unfolded in Copeland

Cllr Ghayouba said: “I didn't expect to win by that much. That’s a momentous landslide. There was a real partygate sentiment. I will be making sure I continue to be the proactive councillor that I have been for the last 12 months."Whitehaven News:

Labour’s Michael Eldon took the Cleator Moor West seat with 1,087 votes, to Conservative Ged McGrath’s 343 votes, and Sam Pollen beat Conservative Jeff Hailes, with 1,185 votes to 465.Whitehaven News:

Cumberland Council will govern Carlisle, Allerdale and Copeland with all the responsibilities and decision-making powers of both a county council and borough council. Cumberland will have 46 councillors.

The newly elected councillors will form a shadow authority, serving alongside the existing councils for one year.

Once the transition is complete, Cumbria County Council, the city and borough councils will cease to exist, handing over to the new Cumberland Council on vesting day – April 1 2023.

FROM ALLERDALE COUNT: Labour 'look forward' to future as they dominate the Cumberland Council elections

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The full results for Copeland are as follows:

BRANSTY:

Sean Cullen, Independent 69
Joseph Ghayouba, Labour 1,043
Charles Maudling, Conservative 461
Ryan Redmond, Independent, 71

CLEATOR MOOR EAST and FRIZINGTON:

Linda Jones-Bulman, Labour 847
Chris Turner, Conservative, 443
Aliscia Wood, Independent, 149

CLEATOR MOOR WEST:

Rhiannon Connors, Independent 77
Michael Eldon, Labour 1,087
Ged McGrath, Conservative 343

EGREMONT:

Shane Branthwaite, Independent 97
Jeff Hailes, Conservative 465
Sam Pollen, Labour 1,185

EGREMONT NORTH and ST BEES

Graham Minshaw, Labour 747
Louis Thomason, Independent 159
Chris Whiteside, Conservative 572

GOSFORTH:

James Dickaty, Labour 916
Mike Minogue, Lib Dem 139
David Moore, Conservative 989

HILLCREST and HENSINGHAM:

Edwin Dinsdale, Independent 211
Jeanette Forster, Labour 831
Brian O'Kane, Conservative 568

HOWGATE:

Martin Barbour, Conservative 500
William Dixon, Heritage Party 50
Eren McGuire, Independent 23
Gillian Troughton, Labour 678
Kevin Young, Independent 238

KELLS:

Emma Williamson, Labour 1,046
Arthur Lamb, Conservative 302
Tanisha Dobson, Independent, 73

MILLOM:

Bob Kelly, Labour 667
Doug Wilson, Conservative 630

MILLOM WITHOUT:

Jeff Amoss, Lib Dem 190
Andy Pratt, Conservative 862
Anne Todd, Labour, 507

MIREHOUSE:

Gemma Dinsdale, Independent: 112
Oliver Dorgan, Conservative 195
Mike Hawkins, Labour 536
Tony Lowrey, Independent 35
Wammo Walmsley, Independent 477