BOLTON Council leader Cliff Morris has defiantly stated that he wants to continue to lead the authority – despite a disappointing election night for his party.

The Halliwell councillor said he will seek re-election as the head of the Bolton Labour group in an upcoming leadership election, which, if successful, could see him remain as council leader for the next four years.

He said that despite losing two seats of its majority, his party’s retention of overall power in Bolton indicates that residents “want Labour to continue what they are doing” in the town.

Cllr Morris refused to accept that UKIP’s continued growth in Bolton – gaining two Labour seats in this election to reach a total of five – was a sign that people in some parts of the borough wanted change.

He said: “I don’t think that is the case, I think a lot of people who voted for UKIP this time round thought they were voting on the European issue.

“I have not seen any policies from UKIP, they said they didn’t want a new library in Little Lever, is that still the case?”

He said he was saddened to lose councillors in Little Lever and Darcy Lever, Kearsley and Westhoughton North and Chew Moor, where the Conservatives won, but pleased with Darren Whitehead’s surprise victory in Hulton.

He added: “We are still the biggest party in Bolton and we are still in charge of this town – we have a mandate from the people of Bolton to continue doing what we are doing.”

Cllr Morris comfortably held his own Halliwell seat and said he will now seek re-election as the leader of the Labour group and therefore leader of the council.

He added: “I would like to thank the people of Halliwell for voting for me, despite others calling for my head on a plate.

“I will continue as leader if my group wants me to continue.”

The Conservatives remain as the largest opposition group, sticking on 15 seats after trading one for one with Labour.

Group leader Cllr David Greenhalgh said: “We are delighted to have won Westhoughton North and Chew Moor from Labour but obviously disappointed to have lost Hulton, where I believe our candidate Derek Bullock would have made an excellent councillor.”

He added: “Our votes and majorities in our strongholds held up well and we now have good areas to work from.”