Well, the elections are over and the people have had their say. Across the country as a whole, that word has been overwhelmingly “Reform!”.

A massive, massive vote for Reform appears to underly a sense of deep dissatisfaction with the two-party system this country has endured for so long. Understandably frustrated with 14 years of Conservative rule, which ended iin chaos just 10 months ago, people have been less than satisfied with the performance of labour since their crushing win last year.

Reform were able to capitalise on that, playing on the fears and frustrations of a disenfranchised population and winning this local election on national issues – immigration, immigration and immigration.

Here in Whittlesey and the area round-about, the national trend has been only partially fulfilled, leaving a curious situation.

Whittlesey is covered by two Cambridgeshire County Council Electoral Divisions – Whittlesey North and Whittlesey South. Whittlesey North was held by Chris Boden (Conservative), Whittlesey South, previously held by David Connor (Conservative) who was deselected earlier this year (in somewhat ambiguous circumstances) and replaced by Haq Nawaz who defended a substantial majority, only to see the seat swing to Michael Fisher (Reform).

In the Cambridgeshire County Council elections as a whole, the area bucked the national trend, with the Liberal Democrats taking control of the council with 31 of 61 seats. Previously, the conservatives had held the most seats (28) but didn’t have an outright majority.

In the CPCA mayoral elections though, it was a different story again! The previous mayor, Nic Johnson (Labour), had already declared he would not defend the seat and it was left to Anna Smith to take on that role for the Labour Party. She however, was pushed into third place behind winner Paul Bristow (conservative) and second place Ryan Coogan (Reform).

That leaves us in Whittlesey South in a curious position:
At Town Council, my ward is held by two Independent councillors, myself and Bob Wicks.
At Fenland District Council, the ward is held by three conservative councillors: Chris Boden, Haq Nawaz and Alex Miscandlon.
At Cambridgeshire County Council the division is held by Michael Fisher (Reform).
The CPCA mayor is Paul Bristow (conservative)
And all under a Labour government!

Quite the mix!

I wait with baited breath to see how well they can all work together!