Davey: Conservatives “on their last innings” following Middle England wipeout

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey declared that the Conservatives are “on their last innings” as he took to the field to play cricket with Wiltshire Lib Dem group leader Cllr Ian Thorn, local councillors and campaigners.

Davey said that the historic results meant that the Lib Dems were on track to overtake the Conservatives at the next general election, after they were bowled out by the party on Thursday.

The Lib Dems became the largest party in Wiltshire, gaining 16 seats to hold 43 seats out of 98. The Conservatives lost 24 seats.

The Liberal Democrats took overall control of Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Shropshire county councils, all for the first time. The party has also kicked the Conservatives out and become the largest party in Devon, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire and Wiltshire.

These elections are also the first time in history that the Liberal Democrats have beaten both the Conservatives and Labour at the same local elections, and the party now controls more councils across the UK than the Conservatives.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

“The Conservatives are on their last innings and we're on track to overtake them at the next general election. Middle England put its faith in us because they are appalled by Kemi Badenoch’s lurch to the right and pandering to Farage. I’m calling on everyone who is alarmed about the future of our country to join us.

“In Wiltshire we kicked the Conservatives out of control and are now the largest party, just like we have done in so many other parts of the country, from Devon to Gloucestershire.

“The Liberal Democrats are now the second largest party of local government, and we’re on track to overtake the Conservatives at the next general election.

“Kemi Badenoch doesn’t understand what was wrong with her sneering remarks about us being the party who would fix your church roof. Across the country, voters have chosen our community politics over the Conservatives’ division and disdain."

ENDS