STRAW POLL
Bizarre moment Lib Dem beats Tory candidate in Northumberland after drawing straws
The two parties could not be split after three recounts, meaning the candidates had to go to the luck of the draw
THE Tories were denied a majority in Northumberland County Council by just one seat after literally drawing the short straw.
In dramatic scenes at today's election count, Conservative leader Peter Jackson and Liberal Democrat candidate Lesley Rickerby had to draw straws over who won the South Blyth ward.
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The two parties could not be split after three recounts, meaning the candidates had to go to the luck of the draw.
Supporters of both parties nervously watched on as Mrs Rickerby chose the longer straw – winning the Lib Dems the ward.
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Mr Jackson said: “We were one short as we had 33 seats and we needed one more to get to 34 for a majority.
“The last seat to be counted was South Blyth and it was an exact draw between us and the Liberal Democrats.
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“After three recounts there was no resolutions for the draw so it came down to drawing of the straws.
“Lesley Rickerby, the Liberal Democrat, picked the long straw.
“The whole majority of the council lay on that straw. It was a very intense and exciting moment but we still march on.”
The Conservatives strengthened their grip on Northumberland, overtaking Labour as the party with the most seats on the county council.
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The Tories now hold 33 of the authority’s 67 seats, meaning it is the largest party on the county council.
It was a disappointing night for Labour who lost seven seats – falling from 31 to 24.
The Lib Dems lost seven seats, moving from 10 to three, while there are now five independent councillors and two others.
UKIP and the Green Party fielded 23 and 16 candidates respectively but both failed to win any seats.
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