County Lib Dems fall one short of overall majority

THE Liberal Democrats have won the Gloucestershire County Council elections but have fallen one seat short of an overall majority.

- Carnelo GARCIA

The Conservatives, who in 2021 won 28 of the then 53 seats, have been eclipsed by Reform UK and only won six divisions.

The right wing populist party has replaced the Tories in many of their previously held divisions and secured 11 seats.

Gains across Gloucester, the Forest of Dean and Tewkesbury mean they are now the official opposition.

Nigel Farage’s party also took votes away from Labour but they did a lot of damage to the Tories during the election held on May 1.

The Lib Dems overturned large Tory majorities in places such as Highnam, Winchcombe and Woodmancote and Tetbury.

They secured 27 seats, ahead of Reform on 11, the Green Party with nine, the Tories six with Labour down to just one seat and Independent Alastair Chambers retaining his seat in Coney Hill and Matson.

In 2021 the results were 28 Conservatives, 16 Lib Dems, five Labour councillors and four Green Party members were elected.

Liberal Democrat leader Lisa Spivey said their message of delivering change had resonated with the electorate.