Disillusionment and desire for change - Grimsby folk react to local election results

Disillusionment and a desire for change, whether in policies or parties leading, were Grimsby people's views on recent election results.

The local elections results have been completed nationally and in North East Lincolnshire, with sharp changes in fortunes for the main parties. The Conservatives lost almost half the councillors up for election nationally and locally, their council majority.

Labour made strong gains in North East Lincolnshire and more widely. Other parties and independents also fared well. The Independents for North East Lincolnshire now hold more than ten per cent of all councillor roles locally.

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North East Lincolnshire Council is finely poised, with the Conservatives on 19 councillors, Labour 15, the independent group five, and Liberal Democrats three. Grimsby Live spoke to people in Grimsby town centre about what they made of the results.

'Every vote counts'

Sue, who mentioned she was in her 70th year, hoped for a change of council political leadership. "That's good," she said of Labour making gains. "We're born and bred Grimbarians and my dad would turn in his grave if I voted Conservative."

Her dad worked at the fish docks when she was a young girl, and she recalled the likes of Labour's Alec Bovill knocking on doors. "I thought a lot of her, she did good for us," she added of Melanie Onn, who was Grimsby's Labour MP until 2019. She is re-standing at the upcoming general election.

"I always go and vote. Every vote counts," she said, a point supported by one ward, Immingham, decided by just ten votes. Asked what she wanted to happen locally, she said: "I'm hoping the town gets sorted a bit more. I'd like the normal bus routes to come down the Hainton Avenue area." She also added from her perspective as a grandmother, she wanted more for young people locally.

On the other side of the political divide in Victoria Street was Kevin. "I don't think the Conservatives are doing particularly well, but I think Labour haven't got any idea. So at the local election, I just voted Conservative again."

"I think the biggest thing for most people is getting this immigration thing sorted out," he said. He meant not just Channel small boat crossings, expressing unease about visa restrictions exchanged for trade deals.

George, crossing Garth Lane footbridge, warned his views were a bit extreme. He did not think a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is needed. "I don't think there's anything wrong with the previous system." Before 2012, police authorities did the functions of a PCC, panels made up of councillors and independent members of the community.

He criticised the salaries PCCs get, often six figures. "I certainly don't think he should be allowed to appoint a deputy." Humberside's PCC had a salary of £76,500 in 2023, exceeded by the PCC office's chief executive at just under £100,000. "I'm disappointed he was voted back in," George added of re-elected Conservative Jonathan Evison.

'Everything's a mess'

A notable proportion of people spoken to did not vote. Not surprising, considering the turnout for the council elections in North East Lincolnshire was only 22 per cent.

Disillusionment appeared to be an influential factor. "I think everything's a bloody mess," said Sandy, who had not voted. "Nobody's got any money, when you just look at people, they're all miserable. Even though the sun's out, they don't look happy." She did not totally blame the government, acknowledging circumstances such as the pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia War.

"I think it will take years and years to put things right," she predicted of the problems Grimsby faces. "I know it's the same for everybody, but it used to be good for a while, but it's all gone," she later said, noting the town centre's closed shops.

"By the time it starts to get right, they get voted out again and then it'll be a mess again," she commented of local elections' fickle nature. She was concerned by immigration levels, and the pension age going up to 67. She felt the latter was counter-productive for young people's employment.

"They're pushing everybody to be in work, more and more of us to work, but where is the work this time? There wasn't enough jobs before, so where are all these jobs coming from?"

"Something needs to change," Sandy said, suggesting an earlier retirement age and to give young people more jobs as a result. Julia, enjoying the sun near Corporation Bridge, likewise had not voted. "I just don't really anyway. My mum was going to, but she was a bit poorly."

"I might have to when the next one's up," she added. No council elections are due in Grimsby for two years now. So, in all likelihood, the next vote will be the general election, later this year.