Labour take Carlisle

Ballot boxes for Carlisle City Council elections 2012 Credit: ITV Border

Labour has taken control of Carlisle City Council for the first time in 13 years.

The party took all four of its main target seats in Thursday's local elections.

The Conservatives lost two seats,as did the Lib Dems.

The new council's make up is:

  • Labour: 27 seats

  • Conservative: 20 seats

  • Liberal Democrats: 2 seats

  • Independent: 2 seats

  • There is 1 vacant seat

Labour gained a majority with 27 seats Credit: ITV

The turnout in Thursday's election was 33.9%, down from 38.1% in 2011.

Labour takes control of Carlisle City Council Credit: ITV Border

The Labour group leader in Carlisle, Cllr Joe Hendry said his party would now have to stick to its election promises.

The former leader of Carlisle City Council, Cllr Mike Mitchelson said that the Conservatives in Carlisle had suffered from the mid-term unpopularity of the Coalition Government.

One of only two Lib Dem councillors in Carlisle, Cllr Trevor Allison said local Liberal Democrats would have to rebuild for the future.