2008 Election Update

10.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 7th May 2008

2008 Local Elections

Commenting on local elections that saw the Lib Dems beat Labour into third across the country, Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg said the party was "regaining momentum."

Elections 2008: results summary

Results summary:

Projected national share of the vote (BBC)

Conservative 44%

Liberal Democrat 25%

Labour 24%

Council control

The Liberal Democrats retained control of:

Cambridge

Eastleigh

Liverpool

Newcastle

Rochdale

South Lakeland

Stockport

Three Rivers

Watford

Liverpool was Labour's number one target. The council composition is now Lib Dem 46, Labour 39, Liberals 3, Greens 2 (total 90).

The Liberal Democrats gained control of:

Burnley

Hull

St Albans

Sheffield

The Liberal Democrats lost control in Pendle and West Lindsey.

Following these elections Liberal Democrats are just one seat short of overall control in Oldham (4 gains), Warrington (1 gain) and Cheltenham (3 gains).

Liberal Democrats will continue to be the largest party in Cardiff (2 gains), Sefton (1 gain), North East Lincolnshire (1 gain) and are now also the largest party in Derby (5 gains), Wrexham (3 gains) and Exeter (1 gain).

Councillors elected

Liberal Democrats made 137 gains in these elections four years ago and have successfully defended those gains. We will have over 4,200 council seats.

The BBC's figures for seat changes are:

Conservative +256

Liberal Democrats +34

Labour -331

London

Brian Paddick finished third, with 10% of the first preferences, and three Liberal Democrats were elected to the London Assembly (down two).

In Norwich it was a mixed story with gains and losses. The party fought a positive campaign on keeping down council tax, with a view to abolishing it altogether; fighting to save local post offices threatened with closure; and promoting pride in our local communities. Successes were achieved in Eaton and Lakenham and the party out-polled Labour and the Conservatives in Norwich South.

The party thanks everyone who voted or helped out in the campaign.