THE CONSERVATIVES were “disappointed” in not winning the swing wards while Labour manage to retain their majority grip despite the financial crisis.

The Slough Labour Group managed to retain 12 out of the 14 seats up for grabs at this year’s election.

The Conservatives only managed to boot out Labour candidate Avtar Cheema from her councillor position at Colnbrook with Poyle, which will now be represented by Puja Bedi, by just 42 votes.

READ MORE: Slough election 2022 full election list

In other wards like Baylis and Stoke, Labour managed to keep a strong majority and beat their Tory rivals by hundreds of votes despite the financial crisis at Slough Borough Council, which happened under a Labour administration.

The council declared bankruptcy in July 2021 and is having to sell up to £600m-worth of its assets and make £20m savings every year until 2029 in order to fill its £479m black hole and reduce its £760m borrowing debt.

Reacting to the election, Slough Conservative leader Dexter Smith said he was “disappointed” the Tories didn’t manage to snatch Wexham Lea, Langley St Mary’s, and Langley Kedermister from Labour after a close battle.

He said: “We nearly did it this year and I am sure we will do it next year. I think people in those wards and across Slough will see a full slate and a team of people that bring those communities together.

“Maybe what we haven’t yet demonstrated to the people of Slough is that were a party of community.”

Council leader James Swindlehurst (Lab) said he expected it to be a close race in the two Langley wards and Colnbrook with Poyle but didn’t think the bankruptcy would greatly affect the vote, believing the Conservative-run government’s response to the cost of living crisis and partygate was on people’s minds more.

READ MORE: Slough Labour fend off Conservative rivals at 2022 election

He said: “The risk would have been us [Labour] being defeated in more places and the fact that we haven’t is a testament to my team, who are absolutely amazing.

“But also, we’ve given the issues a proper airing and tried to offer more information to people. One of the challenges for the council is to do a bit more communication during the summer on everything that’s happened and we’re well on the way to the repair journey.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Rob Anderson (Lab), lead member for finance and won the Britwell and Northborough seat, said apart from losing Colnbrook with Poyle, the group gained more votes in the other wards.

“It just shows you the people have confidence in how we’re running the town,” he said.

In other parts of the UK, Labour has taken control of three major councils in London, including Westminster, from the Tories. The Conservatives have also lost control of other local authorities such as in Worcester and Wokingham.

Slough MP Tan Dhesi said these wins could be a “turning point” for Labour nationally, adding: “I am very, very hopeful that in the very near future, we can have a Labour government.

“We can use these local elections as a springboard for a national Labour government.”

He also said he was glad that voters entrusted their faith to Slough Labour to fix its financial crisis.