GRAHAM Morgan, described his home town, Cinderford, as 'like the Alamo' after he was returned to Shire Hall as only one of four Labour councillors – and the only one from the Forest – at last Thursday's election.

Cllr Morgan spilled over a thousand votes since his massive victory in 2005.

"It was quite a shock. The result was a disaster but I think I was fortunate to have quite a big personal vote,' he said.

"I was hoping for another four years because I am anxious to make sure the Northern Quarter Development goes ahead."

Cllr Morgan said he was concerned on two fronts – the low turn-out in Cinderford (32 per cent) and the future for democracy.

"It does not bode well. It is worrying when so few people vote and it is something all parties must address," he said.

Cllr Bruce Hogan became the biggest victim of the slaughter when he was pushed into third place at Brooksdean. It was a huge personal blow as he is the Labour Party's prospective parliamentary candidate at the next general election.

However, it was, he felt, not a personal vote against him but about affairs at Westminster.

"I'm obviously hugely disappointed, but we live in extraordinary times. All the issues we should be talking about were pushed to one side by the expenses scandals," he said.

Mr Hogan said he was deeply concerned the huge Conservative majority at Shire Hall would lessen the effectiveness of local government.

"There are many really big issues to be addressed and unfortunately that will not now happen. Obviously locally some of our workers will be very demoralised and we will need to remotivate them for the battles ahead," he said.

•Full reports on the county council and EU elections are in page 15.