🔶 2024 Local Election Round-up 🔶

For the first time in almost 30 years, the Liberal Democrats came second for the number of councillor seats won, ahead of the Conservatives.

The final tally on the night was that 522 Liberal Democrat Councillors were elected, up 104. The Conservatives won 515, losing a huge 474 Councilllors.

Reform UK had a terrible night, seeing just 2 Councillors elected nationwide. They were behind all major parties, Independents, local Residents Associations and even the the Workers Party of Great Britain!

The Liberal Democrats GAINED control of 2 Councils - Dorset and Tunbridge Wells in Kent. They also HELD control of 10 Councils - Cheltenham, Eastleigh, Gosport, Hull, Mole Valley, St Albans, Three Rivers, Watford, Winchester & Woking.

In addition the Liberal Democrats are now the largest party in Cherwell, Elmbridge, Hart, Portsmouth, Rochford, Stockport, West Oxfordshire & Wokingham Councils.

Other notable results for the Liberal Democrats from these elections:

• Winning Dominic Raab's Esher & Walton Constituency with 42.6% of the vote share vs the Conservatives on 29.1%. 
• In Woking, Michael Gove's election agent lost his seat to the Liberal Democrats, and there are now no Conservative councillors there at all. 
• In Hampshire, the Liberal Democrats gained four seats in Fareham, Suella Braverman’s backyard, and are the largest party in Portsmouth, where Penny Mordaunt is MP. 
• Foreign Secretary David Cameron now has a local Lib Dem councillor, with the Party making gains in West Oxfordshire from the Conservatives. 
• The Lib Dems won two seats from Labour in Stockport and topped the popular vote in Cheadle and Hazel Grove.

Folkestone and Hythe Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Larry Ngan was excited by the result. He said:

"Across the country, the Liberal Democrats have gained in strength. Here in Kent taking Tunbridge Wells Council shows we have a massive chance to take that seat in the General Election.

"It's time the Conservatives gave up, and called a General Election. Rishi Sunak should delay no more. It's time for change."