The Conservatives gained control of 30 more councils in last week’s local elections, an increase of more than 500 seats.
The Tories did particularly well in councils previously under No Overall Control such as High Peak, Scarborough and Worcester.
Much like the General Election, the Liberal Democrats were hit hard in the local elections, losing more than 300 councillors.
UKIP also took control of its first UK council, gaining an overall majority of Thanet District Council in Kent. This includes the Thanet South seat where Nigel Farage failed in his bid to become an MP.
Analysing what the election results mean for local government, Dr Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive of the LGiU, said: ‘With a majority Conservative government, it’s tempting to think that it will be just more of the same: a reset to 06 May. But there’s a huge opportunity for local government to seize and set the agenda.
‘But that puts an onus on local authorities to come up with realistic, well grounded plans for devolution and to put in place the local partnerships they need to deliver it. Crucially these plans must be as much about what they can deliver better as about the extra powers they need.
‘At LGiU we hear a clear message from our members about what local government wants and needs: fiscal devolution, more power in the hands of councils and communities and respect (and space) from central government.’
Click here to see our intervative election map.
Visit The MJ (£) to find out how the political leadership of the Local Government Association looks set to change following the elections.
