Conservatives and LibDems suffer in Local Elections

Labour benefitted from the local elections by gaining a number of seats including Birmingham, Thurrock and Chorley. David Cameron and the Conservatives suffered losses on the back of voter angst over the government cuts and austerity measures. In a further blow, Nottingham ignored pleas from the Prime Minister and rejected proposals for an elected mayor. The Liberal Democrats fared the worst in the elections with their worst result since the party was formed. 

There was a disappointing turnout at the local elections with only 32% of people choosing to vote. This represents the lowest turnout at English local elections since the year 2000. The mayoral elections will be determined this evening.