Labour sources are now briefing that they are confident that they have taken Westminister. That would be an even bigger gain for the party than Wandsworth, where Labour now holds the council (having gained nine seats, with the Tories losing 11). Westminster has been Tory-held since it was created in 1964.
The Liberal Democrats are celebrating the gain of five councillors in West Oxfordshire, home to former prime minister David Cameron’s old constituency of Witney.
Conservatives have lost their majority, losing five seats to leave them with 20, while the Lib Dems gained four to increase their total to 15. No party has an overall majority.
“Toppling the Conservatives in David Cameron’s backyard is a truly historic result. The blue wall seats are crumbling beneath the weight of Boris Johnson’s failure of leadership across England,” the party tweeted.
Toppling the Conservatives in David Cameron's backyard is a truly historic result.
The blue wall seats are crumbling beneath the weight of Boris Johnson's failure of leadership across England.
— Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) May 6, 2022
Prominent Conservative MP and former minister Stephen Hammond has said his local Wimbledon area saw a high turnout of “angry Tories” voting against the Conservatives, adding that it ought to be a “clarion bell ringing in Downing Street to make sure we are concentrating on the cost of living”.
Speaking to the BBC, he said “Partygate” had been a big influence on voting.
He also said he wanted Boris Johnson to bring “talents back into the government”.
“Any government that doesn’t have people like Greg Clark and Jeremy Hunt clearly isn’t using all the talents available to it.”
Asked about Boris Johnson’s future, he said: “I think he has to prove his integrity to the country.”
Latest scoreboard for England for #LocalElections2022 from #BBCElection.
Full results: https://t.co/zybD1npWBM pic.twitter.com/3YlpA3Lwdt— BBC Election (@bbcelection) May 6, 2022
