11 February 2008

The Labour group in North Lincolnshire is celebrating after scooping a prestigious national award.

The local party has been given the plaudits for becoming the only Labour group in the country during last May’s elections to win control of a council from the Conservative group. At a special ceremony in Bradford on Saturday the group was handed the ‘best campaigning in opposition’ award by Ed Balls MP, beating competition from Labour groups across the country.  The award was presented to former Labour leader Nic Dakin and current leader Cllr Mark Kirk.

Members were congratulated for their success in the May 2007 local elections. After losing control to the Conservatives in 2003 the Labour group campaigned successfully to regain control of the authority. They were the only Labour group in the country to win control of a council from the Tories.

The ceremony was organised by the Yorkshire and Humber Labour Party. A delegation of around 10 party members, including councillors, attended Saturday’s event at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford. They did so at their own expense with no cost to the taxpayer. MPs Rosie Winterton and Caroline Flint were also in attendance and spoke to delegates about a number of issues.

Leader of the Labour group on the council, Cllr Mark Kirk, said: “I am delighted the Labour group in North Lincolnshire has been recognised for their efforts in regaining control of the council last May. This award reflects the hard work party members put in to their campaigning and I would like to thank everyone for their efforts. But this is just the start and we must not get complacent – there is a lot of hard work to do to make North Lincolnshire an even better place to live and work.”

Cllr Steve Swift, Labour group secretary, added: “This is a fantastic achievement and recognises the hard work of everyone involved in last May’s election campaign. To be recognised nationally for the efforts everyone put in is very pleasing and I would like to thank everyone involved in getting the Labour group back in control in North Lincolnshire.”