Blackburn with Darwen Council election, 2004

Elections to Blackburn with Darwen Council in June 2004 heralded a shock result as Labour council leader Sir Bill Taylor lost his seat to Liberal Democrat Zamir Khan. "This morning as I was shaving I thought I could get beat and that is what happened", commented Taylor after the result. "I canvassed more for this election than for any other. I spoke to more than a thousand people on their doorsteps and was not given any suggestion there were any difficulties." Liberal Democrat leader Paul Browne blamed the defeat on dissatisfaction with British foreign policy, particularly in areas with high numbers of Muslim voters: "Sir Bill has gone because of what has happened in Iraq. Simple." Only 63 of the 64 seats on the council were filled as the Earcroft ward bye-election took place a month after due to the death of Mayor Mike Barratt.[1] Yusuf Sidat was elected as an independent in Queen's Park Ward.

Contents

Election result

e • d Summary of the 10 June 2004 local election results for Blackburn with Darwen Council
Parties Seats Previous Net
Gain/Loss
Labour 33 35 -2
Conservative 17 15 +2
Liberal Democrat 12 8 +4
Independent 1 2 -1
Total 63 60

Source: [1] [2]

Wards

Corporation Park

Elected

Electorate 4617 Ballot Papers 2781 % Poll 60.23

Preceded by
Blackburn with Darwen Council election, 2003
Blackburn with Darwen local elections Succeeded by
Blackburn with Darwen Council election, 2006

References