liberal democrat Scores “historic and surprising” lead in local elections, Sir ed davy Said.
Lib Dem leader travels to Dorset to welcome victory councilorsAs the party looks at its prospects conservative-Constituencies held before general elections.
In councils where elections were held on 2 May, the Lib Dems won more seats overall than the Conservatives.
The party came second, winning 552 seats, almost 100 more than the Tories.
The Conservatives trail on 515 seats, down by almost 400.
Labor won 1,158 seats, an increase of over 232.
The Lib Dems’ most significant victory was in Dorset, where they gained the council from the Tories.
The party now holds 42 of the 82 seats on the council, while the Conservatives are on 30 after losing 13 seats.
The Lib Dems believe they can use this victory to overturn the Tory majority in the general election, winning the West Dorset and Mid Dorset and Poole constituencies.
On a flying visit to meet Lib Dem campaigners, Sir Ed said: “This win in Dorset is a historic and stunning result for the Liberal Democrats.
“People here in Dorset and across the country are fed up with this chaotic and out-of-touch Conservative government and they are voting for change with the Liberal Democrats.
“From tackling NHS and local environmental issues to supporting people facing the cost of living, I know the new Liberal Democrat team at Dorset Council will do everything possible to get a fair deal for people here. “
He said: “Following our victory in Somerset two years ago and our great successes in Devon last year, this victory in Dorset confirms that the Liberal Democrats are back in the West Country and will be the party to Conservative MPs whenever the general election comes. It is said that this will be the main challenge.
As the party celebrated its early victory on Friday, Sir Ed posed for photographs with people in Winchester in inflatable dinosaur costumes, dubbed “Tory dinosaurs”.
In the Lib Dems’ latest campaign stunt, three costumed men also carried a banner reading “Make this Conservative government history”.