DEPARTING Halton Borough Council leader Tony McDermott declared the local election a high point for Halton’s Labour party.

Mr McDermott, 70, who steps down from his 11-year tenure as leader on May 21, said the decisive win proves residents’ approval of Labour.

The Broadheath councillor and former economics teacher made the comments on Friday after council election results flooded in, bringing five gains for Labour across Runcorn and Widnes. The Liberal Democrats were the only other party to win seats, holding two and gaining one from Labour.

With a turnout of 60.2%, up from 26.84% in the last round of council elections in 2008, Mr McDermott said Labour councillors may have received a boost from voters turning out in force for the General Election.

He said: “It was a decisive result for the two towns and the Labour Party in Halton and a real endorsement of our record and plans for the future.

“It should put an end to the divisions of much of the campaigning in recent weeks.

“We can really go forward together and this is a high watermark for the Labour Party in Widnes and Runcorn.

“The General Election boosted the turnout but this result proves that the more people that go out to vote, the more likely they are to support the Labour Party that has performed so well in Halton.

He added: “For me the result is particularly pleasing as my successor, whoever that may be, is assured of solid support.”