Theresa May trashed
Labour’s attempts to gain control over the
London council of Wandsworth as she praised councillors for securing a victory during the local
elections.
Theresa May dismantled the Labour Party’s bid to snatch key London councils away from the
Conservatives.
Labour leader
Jeremy Corbyn previously voiced hopes to wrestle control of Wandsworth, Westminster and Barnet from Mrs May but ultimately flopped.
Speaking to Sky News, the Prime Minister said: “Conservative councillors have worked hard for local people here in Wandsworth over the last 40 years that we’ve controlled this council.
“Labour thought they would bring an end to that this week.
“They could take control, this was one of their top targets and they threw everything at it, but they failed.
“The people of Wandsworth re-elected a Conservative council and that’s for a simple reason.
“You charge the second-lowest council tax in the country, you provide excellent local services, like the weekly bin collection, and that’s the message of these elections across the country.”
The Prime Minister visited Wandsworth in south London to congratulate local Conservatives on seeing off a challenge from Labour to hold on to control despite losing six seats.
Days before the election Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell claimed Labour was “on the edge of a significant victory.”
He has since backtracked on his initial expectations alongside other key Labour figures such as Sadiq Khan and Dawn Butler.
Labour has also fallen apart in Derbyshire, which is one of the few victories for Ukip which has nearly collapsed in the local elections.
Polling expert Sir John Curtice said: “The Conservative vote is advancing more than Labour.
“In part that is the result of the Ukip vote collapse and the Conservatives are advancing most strongly in Leave areas where Ukip were previously strongest.
“Even in areas outside of that the signs are that probably there is going to be a small swing from Labour to Conservative at least outside of London.”