Labour party reflects on three East Lancashire losses

9:30am Saturday 8th May 2010 in East Lancashire general election news Photograph of the Author By Tom Moseley, Reporter

LABOUR LOSERS: Rossendale’s Janet Anderson, Pendle’s Gordon Prentice and Burnley’s Julie Cooper LABOUR LOSERS: Rossendale’s Janet Anderson, Pendle’s Gordon Prentice and Burnley’s Julie Cooper

LABOUR supporters are coming to terms with disastrous General Election results which saw the party wiped out in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale & Darwen.

The party had held the Burnley seat for 75 years and activists said the blame lay squarely with Gordon Brown and central government.

Moves including the removal of casualty services from Burnley to Blackburn had cost local candidates, they said.

Burnley outgoing MP Kitty Ussher said the unpopularity of the Prime Minister had also taken its toll in the region.

Labour MPs Gordon Prentice and Janet Anderson lost their seats in Pendle and Rossendale & Darwen respectively.

And in Burnley new candidate Julie Cooper, who is the party’s leader on Burnley Council, was unable to secure enough votes to beat Gordon Birtwistle, who has led a campaign to bring emergency hospital care back to the town.

Elsewhere in East Lancashire there was better news for Labour with Graham Jones becoming the new Hyndburn MP and Jack Straw taking the Blackburn seat for the eighth time, with an increased majority. Conservative Nigel Evans also held his Ribble Valley seat.

Burnley Labour candidate Julie Cooper said the party’s local results had been disappointing.

She said: “I think it was always going to be hard, with issues like the hospital ward closures and the expenses scandal.

“But even with the Lib Dems surge nationally I still thought that we could hold Burnley.”

Former Burnley MP Peter Pike, who now chairs the town’s Labour Party, said the unpopularity of Mrs Ussher had affected Thursday’s result.

He said: “It is not for me to attack Kitty but I fully understand people’s sentiments towards her and I don’t feel that Kitty understands it.

“We would have had a better chance had we had a local candidate as MP rather than Kitty and I think even Gordon Birtwistle has acknowledged that.

“Labour has had bad times in Burnley before but this is lower because we now no longer have a Burnley MP.”

Ms Ussher said: “It has not been the easiest election nationally for Labour and that has been reflected in Burnley.

“It is a great shame because when historians look back at the investment that has gone into Burnley over the last five to 10 years it will be seen as a golden age for the town.

“Unfortunately the hospital issue has overshadowed that.

“The town has had Labour MPs for many many years and that was never taken for granted. The result is a huge disappointment for everyone involved.”

Janet Anderson had been Rossendale and Darwen MP for 18 years.

She said: "I think the national picture is really worrying. "I think that we have lost these seats because people want a change, but I don't think this is the right way to achieve it.

"It's a shock that we've lost Burnley, and I think it'll be difficult to get that one back."

Both Ms Ussher and Mrs Anderson were caught up in the expenses scandals but both said that the main reasons their party lost out in East Lancashire was because of national issues.

Gordon Prentice's agent Robert Oliver said the former MP, who was not available for comment yesterday, had not talked about his plans for life after parliament.

He said: "I went out for a drink with him after the result. He seemed okay and fairly relaxed.

“But it was not unexpected given the money the Tories pumped in. We were fighting an uphill battle.”

Mohammed Iqbal, Pendle Council's Labour group leader, played down the party's losses in East Lancashire, saying it did not amount to disaster.

He said: "Gordon more or less held his total in Pendle and the Tories won because of the money coming in from Tory HQ.

"Burnley was a difficult battle because of what happened with Kitty but it does not all amount to a disaster.

"Our vote held up across the region and the extra votes came from those Tories and Lib Dems who usually sit at home.

"I am optimistic we will win the Pendle seat back at the next election."

Comments (14)

9:43am Sat 8 May 10

DaveBurnley says...

It's just a pity that Kitty didn't stand so that she could have been kicked out in person, still this was the next best thing.
It's just a pity that Kitty didn't stand so that she could have been kicked out in person, still this was the next best thing. DaveBurnley

9:49am Sat 8 May 10

andy1 says...

Julie Cooper has one person to blame for loosing to Gordon Bertwhistle and that was the arrogant Kitty Ussher. From day one she did nothing for the Borough of Burnley. Kitty did a runner back where she came from The Smoke (London). I am sure Gordon will make an excellent MP for Burnley. When he was Mayor he was an excellent ambasador for the town and the money he raised was out standing for a Cancer Machine for the people of the area. Good Luck Gordon hard luck Julie you know who to blame and so does the rest of the C.L.P.
Julie Cooper has one person to blame for loosing to Gordon Bertwhistle and that was the arrogant Kitty Ussher. From day one she did nothing for the Borough of Burnley. Kitty did a runner back where she came from The Smoke (London). I am sure Gordon will make an excellent MP for Burnley. When he was Mayor he was an excellent ambasador for the town and the money he raised was out standing for a Cancer Machine for the people of the area. Good Luck Gordon hard luck Julie you know who to blame and so does the rest of the C.L.P. andy1

9:50am Sat 8 May 10

Kevin, Colne says...

End of Election Report

Cameron, David: Grade B/Effort A+
David is a well-meaning pupil who works hard. His favourite subject is ‘Cutting the Deficit’ at which he is likely to excel, although other pupils are sometimes scared by his enthusiasm. Recently David has been studying through the night but it is difficult to tell whether this helped improve his performance.

Brown, Gordon: Grade B-/Effort A
Gordon tries his best but has trouble making friends. He has experienced one or two upsets and recently had to apologise to a class-mate after he was over-heard to call her names. He seems most at home in the subjects of ‘Spending Other People’s Money’ and ‘Sustaining The Recovery’.

Clegg, Nick: Grade C-/Effort A+
Nick has had a disappointing year, in part because he tried too hard to be different. He works best in class situations but has struggled to convert this into success in the written part of the assessment. There is no doubt that he was very disappointed by his results. Despite this he seems to be very popular among some of his class-mates and just recently has become a member of a rather exclusive group called: ‘The Deal-Makers’.
End of Election Report Cameron, David: Grade B/Effort A+ David is a well-meaning pupil who works hard. His favourite subject is ‘Cutting the Deficit’ at which he is likely to excel, although other pupils are sometimes scared by his enthusiasm. Recently David has been studying through the night but it is difficult to tell whether this helped improve his performance. Brown, Gordon: Grade B-/Effort A Gordon tries his best but has trouble making friends. He has experienced one or two upsets and recently had to apologise to a class-mate after he was over-heard to call her names. He seems most at home in the subjects of ‘Spending Other People’s Money’ and ‘Sustaining The Recovery’. Clegg, Nick: Grade C-/Effort A+ Nick has had a disappointing year, in part because he tried too hard to be different. He works best in class situations but has struggled to convert this into success in the written part of the assessment. There is no doubt that he was very disappointed by his results. Despite this he seems to be very popular among some of his class-mates and just recently has become a member of a rather exclusive group called: ‘The Deal-Makers’. Kevin, Colne

12:41pm Sat 8 May 10

DaveBurnley says...

Very witty Kevin! 'A' for effort yourself!
Very witty Kevin! 'A' for effort yourself! DaveBurnley

12:45pm Sat 8 May 10

Truth will out says...

"Burnley outgoing MP Kitty Ussher said the unpopularity of the Prime Minister had also taken its toll in the region."

Nothing to do with YOUR unpopularity then eh Kitty? Pay the money back. Thief.

"Former Burnley MP Peter Pike, who now chairs the town’s Labour Party, said the unpopularity of Mrs Ussher had affected Thursday’s result. "

Right. But what did you DO about it Mr. Pike? You could have put forward a motion AT THE TIME to de-select her as MP and get a by-election but you CHOSE to do NOTHING because there wasn't an election then. SHAME SHAME SHAME.
"Burnley outgoing MP Kitty Ussher said the unpopularity of the Prime Minister had also taken its toll in the region." Nothing to do with YOUR unpopularity then eh Kitty? Pay the money back. Thief. "Former Burnley MP Peter Pike, who now chairs the town’s Labour Party, said the unpopularity of Mrs Ussher had affected Thursday’s result. " Right. But what did you DO about it Mr. Pike? You could have put forward a motion AT THE TIME to de-select her as MP and get a by-election but you CHOSE to do NOTHING because there wasn't an election then. SHAME SHAME SHAME. Truth will out

2:32pm Sat 8 May 10

A Darener says...

Kevin, Colne wrote:
End of Election Report Cameron, David: Grade B/Effort A+ David is a well-meaning pupil who works hard. His favourite subject is ‘Cutting the Deficit’ at which he is likely to excel, although other pupils are sometimes scared by his enthusiasm. Recently David has been studying through the night but it is difficult to tell whether this helped improve his performance. Brown, Gordon: Grade B-/Effort A Gordon tries his best but has trouble making friends. He has experienced one or two upsets and recently had to apologise to a class-mate after he was over-heard to call her names. He seems most at home in the subjects of ‘Spending Other People’s Money’ and ‘Sustaining The Recovery’. Clegg, Nick: Grade C-/Effort A+ Nick has had a disappointing year, in part because he tried too hard to be different. He works best in class situations but has struggled to convert this into success in the written part of the assessment. There is no doubt that he was very disappointed by his results. Despite this he seems to be very popular among some of his class-mates and just recently has become a member of a rather exclusive group called: ‘The Deal-Makers’.
Could I just point out that Mr Clegg was using the wrong curriculum throughout the year.
[quote][p][bold]Kevin, Colne[/bold] wrote: End of Election Report Cameron, David: Grade B/Effort A+ David is a well-meaning pupil who works hard. His favourite subject is ‘Cutting the Deficit’ at which he is likely to excel, although other pupils are sometimes scared by his enthusiasm. Recently David has been studying through the night but it is difficult to tell whether this helped improve his performance. Brown, Gordon: Grade B-/Effort A Gordon tries his best but has trouble making friends. He has experienced one or two upsets and recently had to apologise to a class-mate after he was over-heard to call her names. He seems most at home in the subjects of ‘Spending Other People’s Money’ and ‘Sustaining The Recovery’. Clegg, Nick: Grade C-/Effort A+ Nick has had a disappointing year, in part because he tried too hard to be different. He works best in class situations but has struggled to convert this into success in the written part of the assessment. There is no doubt that he was very disappointed by his results. Despite this he seems to be very popular among some of his class-mates and just recently has become a member of a rather exclusive group called: ‘The Deal-Makers’.[/p][/quote]Could I just point out that Mr Clegg was using the wrong curriculum throughout the year. A Darener

3:12pm Sat 8 May 10

Inter-Rossiter says...

Labour has paid a high price for Kitty Usser and the A&E closure.

.

Kitty Ussher was a useless constituency MP and that's before we start on about her expenses scandals, self-delusion and utter arrogance.

.

If the Burnley CLP had anything about itself, they would have held a vote of no confidence in her when the second scandal hit the headlines. What did they do - they did nothing!

.

The Labour Party in this town are the masters of their own destruction and I hope they pay, for their lack of action regarding Kitty Ussher, for a long time to come.
Labour has paid a high price for Kitty Usser and the A&E closure. . Kitty Ussher was a useless constituency MP and that's before we start on about her expenses scandals, self-delusion and utter arrogance. . If the Burnley CLP had anything about itself, they would have held a vote of no confidence in her when the second scandal hit the headlines. What did they do - they did nothing! . The Labour Party in this town are the masters of their own destruction and I hope they pay, for their lack of action regarding Kitty Ussher, for a long time to come. Inter-Rossiter

3:52pm Sat 8 May 10

DaveBurnley says...

In the words of the immortal Nelson Muntz (of Simpsons fame), "Haw-Haw!"
In the words of the immortal Nelson Muntz (of Simpsons fame), "Haw-Haw!" DaveBurnley

10:00pm Sat 8 May 10

CapitaBackHander says...

I can't get my head around the Darwen Sunnyhurst ward voting!
Only guy who does something has come last.
I can't get my head around the Darwen Sunnyhurst ward voting! Only guy who does something has come last. CapitaBackHander

10:03pm Sat 8 May 10

CapitaBackHander says...

CapitaBackHander wrote:
I can't get my head around the Darwen Sunnyhurst ward voting! Only guy who does something has come last.
Ah sorry it was a LET error. I looked last night and they had Dave Smith in last place. Just wondered if it was wrong and see the result looks correct now.
[quote][p][bold]CapitaBackHander[/bold] wrote: I can't get my head around the Darwen Sunnyhurst ward voting! Only guy who does something has come last.[/p][/quote]Ah sorry it was a LET error. I looked last night and they had Dave Smith in last place. Just wondered if it was wrong and see the result looks correct now. CapitaBackHander

1:34pm Sun 9 May 10

Mo Lestor says...

Just a shame there wasn't more of the morons kicked out.
Just a shame there wasn't more of the morons kicked out. Mo Lestor

6:14pm Sun 9 May 10

lewops says...

I have just read on the sky blogg that Jack Straws son was involved in the demonstration in London yesterday mmm it seems strange also that all the moaners about not being able to vote on Thursday were students as with the rally in London. Is there some sort of conspiracy going on. Unfortunately for Blackburn we still have smug Straw. Hell will freeze over before I vote for him. Health Worker.
I have just read on the sky blogg that Jack Straws son was involved in the demonstration in London yesterday mmm it seems strange also that all the moaners about not being able to vote on Thursday were students as with the rally in London. Is there some sort of conspiracy going on. Unfortunately for Blackburn we still have smug Straw. Hell will freeze over before I vote for him. Health Worker. lewops

10:16am Mon 10 May 10

Joseph Yossarian says...

"Burnley outgoing MP Kitty Ussher said the unpopularity of the Prime Minister had also taken its toll in the region. "

I somehow think that the unpopularity of Kitty Usher has more to do with it.
"Burnley outgoing MP Kitty Ussher said the unpopularity of the Prime Minister had also taken its toll in the region. " I somehow think that the unpopularity of Kitty Usher has more to do with it. Joseph Yossarian

3:04pm Mon 10 May 10

disgusted tunbridge wells says...

I thought Jack Straw's lad was the drug dealer
I thought Jack Straw's lad was the drug dealer disgusted tunbridge wells

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