Tory whitewash in Bury

The Conservative Party turned their dominance of St Edmundsbury into a virtual whitewash by securing four-fifths of the borough council coverage.

The Tories gained even more seats to monopolise the borough - now occupying 36 of the council's 45 spaces on another successful showing at the polls.

But election success was slightly marred by some of the poorest turnouts across East Anglia - with less than one in five voters casting their cross in some wards in Haverhill.

Reflecting on the figures - including an 18.97 per cent turnout in Haverhill South - Green Party candidate Ernie Goody described voter apathy as “terrible”.

The defeated Haverhill East candidate said: “I think the fact women died to get the vote and other people struggled makes it absolutely disgusting that so few people don't exercise their right.”

“I do think what is happening in national politics has played a part in people not voting but it is still a sad sign of the times.”

Away from dire turnout figures and a weak opposition - with just three candidates successfully representing Labour and Liberal Democrats and a trio of independent members - the plaudits belonged almost entirely to the Conservatives.

Group leader John Griffiths said: “I am delighted that we have delivered on every promise we made four years ago and that the electorate has given us this mandate to move forward. We are very fortunate to live in this lovely part of the county and our challenge is now to protect, preserve and improve the environment of our residents.”

Commenting on the lack of political competition within the borough, Mr Griffiths added: “The council will now look to build on our achievements and make St Edmundsbury a greener, more prosperous and safer place to live, irrespective of party politics.”