THE district's political map was painted red, white, blue, yellow and green with a touch of lilac following one of the most extraordinary local elections of modern times last week.

When the counting had finished even the victors couldn't quite believe what had happened.

The people didn't so much speak as shout out loud and Labour's heavyweights had no choice but to listen.

Out went council leader Stanley Henig, transport boss Pat Rye, environment chief Jerry Sutton, budgetary control chief John Fearnley. In fact Labour's worst case scenario came true -17 Labour councillors lost their seats and were no longer the biggest party.

But while other local authorities witnessed the usual ding-dong battle between the traditional parties, the people of Lancaster and Morecambe went for something completely different.

The Morecambe Bay Independents emerged as the biggest single group and now look likely to take charge of the council. But the Greens were kings of Castle ward, where Labour's big guns were convincingly put out of action.

The Green leader Jon Barry had hoped to capitalise on public dissatisfaction with the council leadership but was seen cartwheeling around Salt Ayre sports centre when his fledgling political group secured an historic five councillors - more than anywhere else in the country.

The Liberals were delighted at their victory in Scotforth East, the Conservatives consolidated their rural position and Official Independents took three surprise seats. A unique political rainbow has been cast across the district but will there be a pot of gold at the end? We'll have to wait and see.

Morecambe MP Geraldine Smith said her party would have to learn its lessons.

She said: "Locally the Labour party will have to learn to listen to the public. It's obvious that the electorate were unhappy with the leadership and the MBIs won the election fair and square. I'll be happy to work with whoever runs the new council for the good of the district."

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