'We need a change to make our city good'

Cherrie Rudd said things need to change in Peterborough

A city that had seen more than two decades of uninterrupted Conservative leadership at its council now has Labour as its largest party.

Peterborough City Council remains under no overall control but Labour now has 19 seats.

Peterborough First, which was set up by former Conservatives, is now the council’s second largest group.

The Conservatives lost half of their seats, taking them down to 11.

Reacting to the results, local resident, Cherrie Rudd, said: "We need a change to make Peterborough good."

She said: "I feel Peterborough has been neglected for quite a while. It could be an amazing city if more thought was put into it and more effort.

"It used to be the place that people travelled to."

She now hopes it will become that place again.

'Change is good'

Jen Lewis has normally voted for the Conservatives

Jen Lewis, 52, a former Conservative supporter, said she could not vote for the party this time.

She said she was not surprised by Friday's result.

"I think people just don't have faith in our government at the moment so they would do anything to get rid of the Conservatives.

"I think it could be a positive thing to see some changes especially with regards to crime, that's my biggest thing here, that's what worries me.

"Let's just hope it's positive, change is good"

'It's been a long time coming'

Sue Forster did not vote in the local elections but said the change at the top was "fantastic"

Sue Forster, 57, a teacher, said she was "really pleased" to see the Fletton and Woodston seat change from blue to red.

"I just think it has been a long time coming, we have been Tory for a long time, we've just seen all public services cut, we've seen less and less provided for the common person."

She said Peterborough has a "a lot less resources" and "a lot less facilities".

However, she said this was the first year she did not go out to the polling station and vote.

"It was purely that feeling of being completely worn out with it all. I have that guilt for not voting but I didn't bother."

'Look at the people of Peterbough'

Vickie Gilbert believes the the change could be "positive"

Vickie Gilbert, 43, runs The Sanctuary cafe and crystals shop, and is in remission from cancer.

"Peterborough has gone downhill over the years and it doesn't resemble the place we knew 20 years ago," she said.

"I think change is good. Currently we need change so let's go with some change."

She asked politicians to "listen to what the people want rather than what councillors would want".

"Look at the people of Peterborough and if the people are OK then Peterborough will be OK."

'No investment'

Lee Forster believes people are moving out as "there's nothing here"

Retired firefighter, Lee Forster, 60, said the city centre was becoming "like a ghost town".

"There doesn't seem to be anything for the actual people.

"The city centre is completely run down, and we've just lost our regional swimming pool, there's no investment in the city."

He thinks the new leadership "is going to be a good thing, as we haven't seen any changes at all".

'It was a protest vote'

Anita Hoche changed the way she normally voted

Anita Hoche, 55, was also brought up to vote Conservative.

"I did vote, but not as I normally vote," she said.

She believes for some it was a "protest vote against the government, to gee the government up to do something".

"I think they need to spend a lot more on the criminal justice system, and more into the probation service," she added.