English Lib Dems land best ever gains

Vince Cable, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, has hailed the best ever gains of councillors in local elections in the party’s history.

Alongside over 700 gains the party landed serious blows to the Conservatives with stunning victories to gain councils including Chelmsford, Hinckley and Bosworth and the Vale of the White Horse – as well as holding the Mayoralty in Bedford.
 
With the party on track to secure a national equivalent vote share of 19% - the best since 2010 – Cable hailed the result as a clear sign that the Liberal Democrats are the strongest party for Remain going into the European Elections.
 
Vince Cable said:

“These are spectacularly good results, stemming from the hard work and the commitment of our campaigners all around the country.

“This is a springboard to the European elections in three weeks’ time, when we hope to do well again.
 
“Ours is the strongest Remain voice in British politics. Every Liberal Democrat vote is a vote to stop Brexit.”
 
Postscript: 

The final total of Liberal Democrat council seats gained is 703.
 
The results saw Liberal Democrats secure power of 18 councils
 
Notable gains include defeating the leaders of Bath and North East Somerset Council, and St Albans Council and in Jacob Rees-Mogg’s own ward.
 
Liberal Democrat councils returned yesterday: 

Bath and North East Somerset
Chelmsford
Cotswolds
Eastbourne
Eastleigh
Hinckley and Bosworth
Mole Valley
North Devon
North Norfolk
Oadby and Wigston
Somerset and West Taunton
South Lakeland
South Somerset
Teinbridge
Three Rivers
Vale of the White Horse
Watford
Winchester

Northern Ireland

At the time of writing, our comrades in the Alliance Party had seen 42 councillors returned, a significant increase over the last time local councils were contested in the province, also seeing a breakthrough outside the party's stronghold in Belfast.