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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Election results: Conservatives lose control in St Albans | Election results: Conservatives lose control in St Albans |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Conservatives have lost control of St Albans District Council as the party's leader lost his seat. | |
| The Liberal Democrats are now the largest party after taking six seats from the Tories, including that of council leader Alec Campbell. | The Liberal Democrats are now the largest party after taking six seats from the Tories, including that of council leader Alec Campbell. |
| Mr Campbell lost to Lib Dem Will Tucker in St Peters ward by 1,365 votes compared to 505. Overall voter turnout was 39.9%. | Mr Campbell lost to Lib Dem Will Tucker in St Peters ward by 1,365 votes compared to 505. Overall voter turnout was 39.9%. |
| In Welwyn Hatfield the Tories also lost its majority. | In Welwyn Hatfield the Tories also lost its majority. |
| In St Albans, the Conservatives also conceded one seat to Labour and one to an independent. | In St Albans, the Conservatives also conceded one seat to Labour and one to an independent. |
| The Tories, who had controlled the council since 2015, now have 23 seats, Labour has six and the Lib Dems have 25, with three independents and one Green councillor. | The Tories, who had controlled the council since 2015, now have 23 seats, Labour has six and the Lib Dems have 25, with three independents and one Green councillor. |
| It leaves the Lib Dems five seats short of a majority. | It leaves the Lib Dems five seats short of a majority. |
| 'Significant change' | |
| St Albans Liberal Democrat councillor Chris White said it "remains to be seen" who will have control in the new council and discussions will take place. | |
| "We could be talking coalition, we could be talking going it alone but whatever happens there's going to be some significant change in St Albans," he said. | |
| He added that a "combination of things" had led to the party' success in the city including the "Brexit backlash" in a strong remain area, the "strength of our Parliamentary candidate" Daisy Cooper, and "a very simple clear manifesto about improving the environment, improving community facilities, and generally tidying the council up" which "clearly resonates with the voters". | |
| On Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, the Tories are now two seats short of an overall majority. | On Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, the Tories are now two seats short of an overall majority. |
| The Lib Dems took seats from both the Conservatives and Labour. | The Lib Dems took seats from both the Conservatives and Labour. |
| Barbara Gibson, the lead Liberal Democrat MEP candidate for the Eastern region, said: "Up and down the country, people have sent a very clear message to both the Conservatives and Labour, they want a change in both local and national politics, and they are turning to the Liberal Democrat's to deliver it. | Barbara Gibson, the lead Liberal Democrat MEP candidate for the Eastern region, said: "Up and down the country, people have sent a very clear message to both the Conservatives and Labour, they want a change in both local and national politics, and they are turning to the Liberal Democrat's to deliver it. |
| "In Hertfordshire alone, the Conservatives have lost control of councils, lost stronghold seats, and suffered humiliating defeats and a number of councils have not yet started counting votes." | "In Hertfordshire alone, the Conservatives have lost control of councils, lost stronghold seats, and suffered humiliating defeats and a number of councils have not yet started counting votes." |
| The Conservatives retained control at East Hertfordshire District Council. | The Conservatives retained control at East Hertfordshire District Council. |
| Hertsmere Borough Council and Dacorum Borough Council were also held by the Tories while Labour kept control of Stevenage. | Hertsmere Borough Council and Dacorum Borough Council were also held by the Tories while Labour kept control of Stevenage. |
| There was no change to the make-up of Broxbourne Borough Council, where 11 seats were being defended, the Tories held the 10 they were defending and Labour held their one. | There was no change to the make-up of Broxbourne Borough Council, where 11 seats were being defended, the Tories held the 10 they were defending and Labour held their one. |
| Analysis | Analysis |
| By BBC Three Counties Radio political reporter, Andy Holmes | By BBC Three Counties Radio political reporter, Andy Holmes |
| Today is not a great day to be waking up as a Conservative in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. | |
| Although they've held on to Broxbourne, Hertsmere, Dacorum and East Herts councils, they've lost overall control of both Welwyn Hatfield and St Albans, where Tory Leader Alec Campbell has lost his seat. | |
| The Lib Dems have been the biggest benefactors from all of this, gaining more than 20 seats, whilst Labour have held Luton and Stevenage. | The Lib Dems have been the biggest benefactors from all of this, gaining more than 20 seats, whilst Labour have held Luton and Stevenage. |
| Friday's counts include all of Central Beds, Bedford's Mayoral and a third of Milton Keynes Council, where the Tories are defending 12 seats. | Friday's counts include all of Central Beds, Bedford's Mayoral and a third of Milton Keynes Council, where the Tories are defending 12 seats. |
| And that means the day could yet get worse for the Conservatives. | And that means the day could yet get worse for the Conservatives. |