LEADER of Reading Borough Council Jason Brock was full of optimism following Labour’s strong showing at Thursday’s local elections.
The party prised Caversham Heights away from the Conservatives, with Sam Juthani claiming 1,454 votes, just 130 more than Paul Carnell.
Victory in the traditionally Tory ward was just one of many improvements Labour saw across the seats which were up for re-election this year.
Cllr Brock said: “It’s really pleasing to win Caversham Heights, fantastic to see Sam Juthani get over the line.
“It’s disappointing we didn’t gain in Kentwood – I feel really sorry for Mamuna [Naz], a fantastic candidate and I’m sure she’ll be back next year.
“Overall, it’s a pleasing set of results and another vote of confidence in Labour to run the council here in Reading.”
Cllr Brock believes strong performances in wards they haven’t historically succeeded in are indicative of the party’s work throughout Reading.
He said: “Let’s be serious, we are the only party that works right across the entire town. So it’s wonderful to see so many candidates doing so well, to see majorities increasing across the board and to see us making forward steps in wards like Tilehurst, where we haven’t been a second place finisher in a great many years, and today we are.”
With a general election potentially around the corner, the leader of the council believes these results puts Labour in good stead for a strong showing on the national stage.
He said: “Reading’s always had a feature where we swing a bit less than the national swing. When times are good, we are a little bit behind that, and when times are bad, we’re ahead of that, and that’s a good place to be because we’re rooted in our community here in Reading.
“It’s a Reading Labour party, we exist for the people of Reading. We factor into those broader trends as well – nationally I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a good night for Labour and I think Friday’s counts are going to be good for us too.
Looking forward, Cllr Brock described his excitement to continue some of the projects his party have already put in motion.
He explained: “There’s lots of things I want to be able to push forward, but in particular, to get the leisure centres over the line, get them finished, move forward with some of the big transport projects and make more progress in building our council homes – the biggest affordable housing programme in a generation here in Reading, which is very important for families.”
