WHATEVER predictions were being made in the run up to the elections, few could have stated how the vote would go in Warrington.

Because while the General Election went as was thought, Labour holding in the north of the town and the Conservatives seizing the south, the Town Hall elections were far less predictable.

Indeed a ‘fairytale’ was how Labour party workers were terming it at the count at Birchwood.

After a decade where the party has steadily been haemorrhaging seats to the Liberal Democrats, they suddenly have the most seats at the borough council again.

Where that leaves us is less clear.

Labour wants to run a minority administration, giving opposition party councillors key roles on watchdog committees.

The Lib Dems want their joint alliance with the Tories, which has run since 2006, to continue.

Labour has the most seats, the Lib Dems and Tories though could out vote them if they stick together.

Where this election leaves the parties long term is similarly murky. Despite the success in the borough vote, the General Election has to remain first prize and as such it was a tough night for Labour.

After 18 years, they lost Warrington South to the Tories.

Nick Bent, parachuted into the seat in January, was unable to keep the seat. Had he been in place for six months longer he could have sprung a surprise.

For the Conservatives, David Mowat has been plotting victory for more than two years.

For the first time in a long time, here was a properly organised campaign by the Tories in Warrington, well funded and well researched.

And they almost picked up Appleton and Lymm on the borough council. However, with the loss of Penketh, this was not a good night for the party on the borough council where they remain unable to make any real progress.

And what of the Lib Dems?

Warrington South was clearly a target from the national office.

The money and activists they moved to the town to fight showed that. But not only did they finish a distant third in the General Election, they took their eye off the ball and lost four borough council seats – all to Labour.

It will be time to review tactics and look to the future for the Lib Dems if they are to regain the momentum they have built in the town.