Tory Gains In Municipal Polls

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31061, 17 May 1966, Page 17

Tory Gains In Municipal Polls

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, May 16. The Conservative Party said yesterday that it had net gains of 400 seats in last week’s municipal elections throughout Britain.

The Conservative Party chairman, Mr Edward Du Cann, reported the figure in a congratulatory message to party workers. He predicted the gains would “have a more farreaching effect throughout the country than the figures themselves reveal.” “In these elections,” he said, “we have been setting the ground for winning the next general election, whenever it may come. These victories provide a sound base for advance towards victory in that election.” Labour Party headquarters meanwhile announced it had a net loss of 179 borough council seats and 81 district council seats, but the head quarters minimised the significance of the results. Labour officials pointed out

that most of the Conservative victories were in areas where the Conservatives traditionally were strong, and had held power until the Labour landslide three years ago. “These figures are not unsatisfactory,” said Mr Len Williams, the party general secretary. “The losses are no greater than might have been expected in view of the Labour landslide when these seats were last contested in 1963. Three-fifths of the seats Labour gained then have been held this year.”