Gloucester Liberal Democrats hail superb local election results

Gloucester Liberal Democrats have hailed a superb set of results for the party in the local elections last week.

The party gained over 200 councillors over England, Wales and Scotland, and took control of three more councils, including the new Somerset Council.

It was a disastrous night for the Conservatives, who lost nearly 500 councillors and control of 11 councils, and while Labour made modest gains, it was the Liberal Democrats who were the success story of the elections.

They gained seats in all areas of the country, taking control of Hull council from Labour, Woking from the Conservatives, and consolidating their control in Lib Dem councils like Sutton, Richmond upon Thames, Kingston upon Thames and St Albans.

In nearby Cheltenham, the only place in the county to have elections this time, the Liberal Democrats won 18 out of 21 seats contested, and took 57% of the vote across the town, compared to just 28% for the Conservatives.

Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester Liberal Democrats, said: "It is clear from these results that the Liberal Democrats are trusted by people to represent them, because they know we are hard-working local champions.

"The prime minister's poor performance and the cost of living crisis that the Conservatives have done nothing to alleviate, as well as concerns about health and education, were all factors in these results.

"It is a shame there were no elections in Gloucester this year, but we look forward to 2024 and removing the Conservatives from their disastrous rule of Gloucester City Council."

Councillor Declan Wilson, chair of Gloucester Liberal Democrats, added: "Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey had a great campaign and has been rewarded with hundreds of new councillors.

"The so-called blue wall is crumbling, and Gloucester Lib Dems are looking forward to taking the fight to the Conservatives in the years to come."