First victory goes to Labour as count continues in Barnsley local election
It comes after Reform UK were top of the predictions
All three Labour candidates in a Barnsley ward have maintained their seats after the first counts are announced.
Nicola Sumner, Janine Moyes and Martin Joseph O'Donoghue began hugging when it was announced that they would continue serving as councillors in Barnsley’s Central Ward.
These are the first results announced so far today (May 8) after predictions have suggested a majority win for Reform UK.
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PollCheck suggested the Nigel Farage-led party would take all seats in the Central Ward.
There were only 200 votes between the lowest voted Reform candidate in the ward - Patricia Smith, who got 1,012 votes - and Nicola Sumner, who received the most votes in the ward with 1 ,208 ballots cast in her name.
Labour candidates have expressed concern throughout the morning, and there are still 60 more seats up for grab.
Current council leader Sir Stephen Houghton, who represents the Labour party, said it had been a tough morning.
“Obviously we’re worried,” Sir Houghton told The Star at Barnsley Metrodome earlier today.
“We’ve been out on the doorstep, we know how tough it is and we’ve seen results overnight coming through.
“So obviously we’re worried that could be us today.”
Central Ward results:
Winners:
Nicola Sumner, Labour Party - 1,208 votes
Janine Moyes, Labour Party - 1,137 votes
Martin Joseph O'Donoghue, Labour Party - 1,089 votes
Second:
Gerald Bateman, Reform UK - 1,033 votes
Christopher Mark Mannion, Reform UK - 1,023 votes
Patricia Smith, Reform UK - 1,012 votes