Labour's 'Team Denton' suffered no shocks in the Tameside Council elections, with all three ward councillors comfortably retaining their seats. 

Denton North East was one of only two boroughs where an independent stood, with a distinct lack of independent parties fielding candidates across the borough this year. 

That said the Reform UK polled only 100 votes as long-serving Councillor Vincent Ricci, who has served for more than 20 years, romped to victory with a more than 56 per cent share of the vote. 

Vincent Ricci at the election count in Ashton. Image: Nigel Wood. 

He thanked residents of the ward for “placing their faith” in him and “standing by him”. 

Dawn Cobb for the Conservatives was second with 663 votes and the Green’s John Bradley a distant third with 163 votes, ahead of the Reform’s Barbara Mitchison. 

RESULT: Denton North East

John Bradley (Green) - 163
Dawn Cobb (Conservative) - 663
Barbara Mitchison (Reform UK) - 100
Vincent Ricci (Labour) - 1211

Votes cast: 2,147
Turnout: 25.8%

Vincent Ricci has been re-elected. pic.twitter.com/9rILjqYfBY

— Tameside Reporter (@newsintameside) May 5, 2022

However turnout in Denton North East was the poorest of the Denton wards, with just 25.8 per cent of the electorate turning out. 

In Denton South it was a two horse raise between Labour’s Claire Reid and the Conservative’s Timothy Cho. 

Although still a distant second, Timothy Cho saw his share of the vote increase by 8.6 per cent compared to last year, polling 105 votes more than last May. 

Result: Denton South ward

Timothy Cho (Conservative) - 794
Claire Reid (Labour) - 1466

Ballot papers issued: 2286
Turnout: 28.4%

Claire Reid is elected. pic.twitter.com/nZrLvIPyAn

— Tameside Reporter (@newsintameside) May 5, 2022

Timothy made the headlines then when he stood for election for the first time, his story of how he had escaped from North Korea making all the headlines. 

He pledged last year that he would continue to battle on for the Conservatives - but above all democracy. 

It is Labour’s Claire Reid who continues however and she thanked everyone for voting for her, saying being a councillor was “more than a job, but a way of life.” 

Over in Denton West, Mike Smith, a serving councillor since 2003, comfortably retained his seat, winning more than 64 per cent of the vote. 

Result: Denton West ward

Matt Allen (Conservative) - 704
Jean Smee (Green) - 220
Mike Smith (Labour) - 1788

Ballot papers issued: 2735
Turnout: 30%

Mike Smith is elected. pic.twitter.com/i2PZRbyVWP

— Tameside Reporter (@newsintameside) May 5, 2022

He thanked voters for once again putting their trust in him. 

Mike Smith delivering his election victory speech. Image: Nigel Wood. 

The Green’s Jean Smee finished third with 220 votes. 

The voter turnout was the highest of the Denton wards at 30 per cent. 

Read more from the Tameside Reporter

Click here for more of the latest news

Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online

Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper