ELECTION: Labour leader confident but says Gaza backlash could cost votes

Tameside Council's Labour leader fears the backlash over Gaza could have cost the party votes in this year's local election.

Cllr Ged Cooney said: "As I've said many times, you can't affect world events. We are all well aware of what is happening in Gaza and the reaction around the country.

"We are aware of the by-election result in Rochdale and its impact across the whole north west but we have put up a strong candidate and hopefully we will bring everyone back.

"We do think we have a good chance of winning Godley, which is a Tory seat. You've got independent parties but we know the Tory vote is down and that might put their vote somewhere else.

"We're hearing it's just a bog standard turnout, although I thought it might have been higher because of the mayoral election but from what we are seeing the actual turnout is about the same as last year.

"I think it's a given that this will be a very good night for Labour and I think we will bring Blackpool back to Labour."