The results are in!
With the local elections coming to a subdued end last week, the face of the county remains somewhat untouched.
In Keighley, Cllr Khadim Hussain retained his seat for the town’s Central Ward, following his resignation from the Labour party earlier this year.
The former Lord Mayor took the decision to become an Independent after being suspended by Labour for sharing alleged anti-Semitic Facebook posts.
After appealing to the party but receiving no response, he took the decision to ‘go it alone’ with his local community continuing to back him as their lead councillors.
Talking to Facebook to thank his supporters, he said: “I would like to take the opportunity to thank all my FB friends and well wishers who have supported me throughout my election campaign and in particular those from Keighley Central Ward who voted for me.”
Elsewhere in Bradford, Labour continued to dominate the political make-up of the city, adding a further two seats to their overwhelming majority.
The Conservatives were the victims of Labour’s gain, losing out on one seat to the lead party, as well as one to an Independent candidate.
Former MP David Ward returned to politics with the Liberal Democrats after being elected onto the council in Bolton and Undercliffe.
His victory signalled a good day for the Lib Dems who also held three other seats.
The Green Party’s single seat in Shipley was also maintained.
Meanwhile, in Leeds, there was no change in ward council, with every seat held by the previous party.
Labour remain ahead on 63 seats; followed by Conservatives – 19 seats; Lib Dems – nine seats; Morley Borough Independents – five seats and Greens – three seats.
There is a new face in at Gipton and Harehills with Labour’s 29-year-old Salma Arif becoming one of the city’s youngest councillors.
With 3,972 votes in total, she was over 3,500 votes ahead of her nearest rival, UKIP’s Khalil Mohammed Kungulilo – who registered just 360.
Writing on social media after her victory, Ms Arif said: “I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped with my campaign to be Gipton & Harehills Councillor.
“The win wouldn’t have been possible without the support and love that I got from my family, friends and local community who voted for me.
“Over the last couple of days I have been inundated with phone calls, messages and visitors sharing my amazing victory. For me this is only the beginning to make a real difference in the lives of the local residents that I now represent. Onwards and upwards we go together.”
