When a ripple of excitement washed over local Labour politicos at last week’s count, I assumed they’d just heard news of a party triumph elsewhere in the country.

In fact, they’d just heard that ex-city leader Ross Willmott had been resoundingly defeated by Tory candidate Andrew Bridgen in North West Leicestershire.

Barely able to contain their glee, senior members surrounded me to tell me their ‘good news’.

“You see, we were right to get rid of him weren’t we?” said one, “even the people of North West Leicestershire have told him where to go.”

I considered their point. “You haven’t got rid of him, he’s still a Labour councillor,” I replied.

Then it dawned on them that their celebrations were premature.

He’ll be taking his seat on front of the press bench at full council for the foreseeable future…

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