THE Conservatives made a surprise victory this Slough election by narrowly winning Langley Kedermister.
Fourteen seats were up for grabs at Slough Borough Council where Labour managed to lose two seats, but still maintained a majority at the council.
The closest battle fought was between Tory candidate Chandra Muvvala and Labour’s Mike Holledge for Langley Kedermister, which has been under Labour-control for years.
The leader of the council, councillor James Swindlehurst (Lab: Cippenham Green), said he was expecting it to be a close race, but hoped they would retain Langley Kedermister.
READ MORE: Slough Borough Council 2021 election results in full
In a twist of events, Mr Muvvala claimed a narrow victory by securing 37 more votes than Mr Holledge, totalling 1,111 votes to 1,074.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Muvvala said he was expecting it to be ‘close fight’, but not a victory.
The newly elected Chandra Muvvala reacts to his close win in Langley Kedermister #ElectionResults2021 pic.twitter.com/m3aRjWx96n
— James Bagley | Slough & Windsor Observer (@BagleyLdr) May 8, 2021
Langley Kedermister's new Conservative councillor sets out his priorities for the residents #ElectionResults2021 pic.twitter.com/kclze0WZuc
— James Bagley | Slough & Windsor Observer (@BagleyLdr) May 8, 2021
Speaking on his win, he said: “We’ve [the Tories] have been talking to people, understanding their issues, working with people, and people trusted me.”
A ward that was one to watch out for was Foxborough, which councillor Madhuri Bedi, who left Labour in March, won as an Independent by a landslide.
She secured 698 votes whereas her Labour opponent, Andrea Escott, only got 281.
Cllr Bedi said: “This campaign was run by residents and there’s no greater testament than have residents stand with you, and that’s what we’re going to do now.
“It’s not me, it’s us, it’s a ward win, and I’m so proud of that.”
Former Labour councillor Madhuri Bedi on her Independent win of Foxborough ward. pic.twitter.com/tGtffX9LWa
— James Bagley | Slough & Windsor Observer (@BagleyLdr) May 8, 2021
Cllr Swindlehurst said he wasn’t expecting Labour to win Foxborough but did predict they would get a Labour gain in Upton.
— James Bagley | Slough & Windsor Observer (@BagleyLdr) May 8, 2021
The council leader’s prediction came true where Labour candidate Gurdeep Singh Grewal took back Upton, which was once held by Independent councillor Rajinder Sandhu.
Labour managed to hold Langley St Mary's by the skin of their teeth with Labour candidate Bally Gill winning by 43 votes more than her Conservative rival Christine Bamigbola, 1,174 votes to 1,131.
READ MORE: Berkshire local elections: live updates and results
After the election wins, the council’s political make-up is 35 Labour, five Conservative, and two Independent.
The Liberal Democrats and Green Party failed to gain seats on the council.
The chairman of the Lib Dems, Matthew Taylor, who stood for Cippenham Meadows, said he hoped the three Lib Dem candidates will get second place in the wards they are contesting.
All three candidates only managed to secure third-place.
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