Heather Jameson 03 May 2019

Conservatives struggle at the polls as Lib Dems gain

The two main political parties have made big loses in the local elections, with the Liberal Democrats and independents looking like the real winners of the night.

So far the Conservatives have gained North East Lincolnshire and Walsall, and increased their majority in Swindon.

Chairman of the District Councils' Network, Cllr John Fuller, was among the high-profile councillors to retain their seat.

But the party has lost a dozen councils to no overall control and a further six to the Lib Dems.

Trafford MBC, which the Conservatives lost to no overall control last year, was won by Labour, but the party has lost Bolsover, Hartlepool and Wirral to no overall control.

The Lib Dems have gained at least eight councils while Ashfield has gone independent.

LGiU chief executive Jonathan Carr-West said: ‘We shouldn’t forget the salience of local issues. Campaigners around the country have been desperate to shift the debate on to local issues and have had some success.

‘These elections are not a glorified opinion poll, they’re about electing councillors who will make decisions about the local services people rely on.’

Liberal Democrats gains:

Bath and North East Somerset (from Cons)

Chelmsford (from Cons)

Cotswold (from Cons)

Hinckley and Bosworth (from Cons)

Teignbridge (from no overall control)

Vale of White Horse (from Cons)

Winchester (from Cons)

North Devon (from no overall control)

North Norfolk (from no overall control)

Mole Valley (from Cons)

Conservatives gains:

North East Lincs (from no overall control)

Walsall (from no overall control)

Conservative lose to no overall control:

Basildon

Broxtowe

North Herts

North Kesteven

Pendle

Peterborough

Shepway

Southend on Sea

St Albans

Tandridge

Tendring

Welwyn Hatfield

Worcester

Conservative hold:

Rochford DC

Havant BC

East Hampshire DC

Independents gains:

Ashfield

Labour gains:

Calderdale (from no overall control)

High Peak (from Cons)

Trafford (from no overall control)

Telford & Wrekin Council

Labour lose to overall control:

Bolsover

Cannock Chase (from Lab)

Hartlepool

Stockton-on-Tees BC

Wirral

Labour holds:

Leeds City Council

Nottingham City Council

Salford City Council

See the final results of the local elections 2019 here.

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