Lib Dems Overtake Labour in National Poll for the First Time in Living Memory

The Liberal Democrats are today celebrating a night of success in this year's local elections across England and Wales.

According to BBC estimates of national vote share, Charles Kennedy's party have overtaken Labour in share of the national vote for the first time in living memory. Meanwhile the Conservatives appear to have done no better than they did with William Hague as their Leader in 2000.

Liberal Democrat Chief Executive Lord Rennard commented:

"Thursday night's local election results show the Liberal Democrats continuing to gain support and council seats - and challenging Labour in what were previously Labour heartlands.

"Labour have suffered a significant setback, falling to just 26% on BBC estimates so far - below the 28% share they had under Michael Foot's leadership in the 1983 General Election. Labour now face a serious threat from the Liberal Democrats in many city seats.

"The Conservatives have failed in their objective of winning back support in the cities - failing to win a single council seat in Liverpool, Manchester or Oxford.

"Liberal Democrats believe that our gains in the 2004 local election results are the precursor to substantial gains from Labour at the next General Election - just as their local election gains in the mid 1990s pointed the way to substantial gains from the Conservatives at the 1997 General Election."

Many more results are still be declared later today, but estimates so far show 80 net gains in the 2004 local elections. Since the 2001 election, the Liberal Democrats have gained over 250 seats.

An ICM Poll for the BBC has shown Charles Kennedy to be the most trusted of the main party leaders, with voters believing him to be more in touch than Tony Blair and Michael Howard.

The BBC estimated vote share for the 2004 local elections is:

Liberal Democrats 30%

Labour 26%

Conservatives 38%

2001 General Election Result

Liberal Democrats 19%

Labour 42%

Conservatives 33%

The swing from Labour to the Liberal Democrats is 14%. The swing from the Conservatives to the Liberal Democrats is 3%.

The Tories continue to have vast swathes of 'No-Go' areas. They failed to win any councillors in Knowsley, Liverpool, Manchester or Oxford.

Liberal Democrats have made significant gains across North-West Metropolitan Districts including Manchester (+11), Bolton (+7), Sefton (+5), Rochdale (+3), Burnley (+2). The results in Rochdale and Bolton have made the Liberal Democrats the biggest party on those councils. The Liberal Democrats won overall control of Pendle Council by gaining six seats.

What the papers say:

"Mr Kennedy was seen as the most trustworthy leader and the most in touch."

Daily Mail, 11/6

"Labour 'Suffers Worst Showing in Living Memory'": The Scotsman, 11/6

"Hopes of a Tory revival appeared to be dashed by a strong showing for the hard-line anti-EU UK Independence Party. …The winners appeared to be Charles Kennedy's Lib Dems and smaller parties.": Daily Star, 11/6

""The Lib Dems are hammering us in the cities…" said one Labour official.": Daily Express, 11/6