Lib Dems take Bristol but losing elsewhere
By Ian Dunt
The first results have come in from the local elections, with the Lib Dems taking Bristol – the only major city which voted.
Follow local election results live on politics.co.uk
However, the Conservatives have taken control of both Somerset and Devon from the Lib Dems meaning they are currently looking at a net loss of councils. The Tories also made gained the newly-created Central Bedfordshire council.
The Lib Dems and the Tories both took an extra four seats in Bristol, but with 36 councillors the Lib Dems came out with overall control. All the seats came at the expense of Labour.
The Lib Dems also took 11 seats in Central Bedfordshire, but the Conservatives easily took power with 54 seats. Labour failed to win any at all.
The Tories also increased their number of seats in Lincolnshire by 15 while Labour were decimated, losing 17 of their 21 wards.
Meanwhile, Stuart Drummond, the surprisingly effective mayor of Hartlepool, who dressed as a mascot monkey during his first campaign, was re-elected for a third term.
