Former student David Levene has been given an easy win in Heslington after the Labour party have swept to victory in York, taking overall control of the local council.
The result saw Levene, a former Labour Club Chair and YUSU Union Council Chair clinch first place in the Heslington ward that includes two of the University campuses. Levene beat second placed Green party candidate Caleb Wooding who lost out along with a host of other current students.
Levene won 670 votes ahead of Wooding on 449, who pushed the Liberal Democrats who previously represented the ward into third place with 358 votes. The ward had one of the lowest turnouts of the entire city with only 37.8% of the potential electorate voting. He primarily stood on a platform of representing students and student issues.
The spectacular local results for Labour, which were a repetition of similar results seen across the country also see former YUSU President and York student James Alexander become Leader of the Council. The results saw Labour defeat current Liberal Democrat Council leader Andrew Waller and ex-council Leader Steve Galloway in Westfield ward, as the party won new seats across the city. Former student Joe Riches was elected for Labour in Holgate Ward.
A host of other students who stood for election in the city were less lucky. Current student Thomas Corker, standing for Labour in Osbaldwick lost out to independent Mark Warters. Second year Politics student Owain Gardner also lost out in Fulford ward where he was beaten by incumbent Keith Aspden of the Liberal Democrats.
Students Johnny Parnell and Josh Allen standing in Hull Road Ward, as well as second year Environmental Science student Frances Ryan standing in Heworth ward all failed to win seats for the Liberal Democrats.